Lighter schools bags likely from next year

Students in Kerala will not have to trudge to school burdened with heavy school bags from the next academic year.

School bags that are not too large and come with padded shoulder straps, changes in curriculum and timetable, and lockers or shelves in schools to store books are some of the suggestions in the draft guidelines prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for fixing the weight of school bags used by government and aided school students in the State.

The guidelines have been prepared on the basis of a study by the SCERT on the current situation related to weight of school bags, and the possible health problems that could arise in children owing to excessive weight of bags.

The study found that high school and higher secondary students lugged the heaviest school bags. The more the number of objects in a school bag, the higher its weight, leading to health problems such as uneasiness; shoulder, back, and neck pain; and postural issues.

The guidelines recommend use of smaller bags made of softer materials. Chest straps, waist straps, and padded shoulder straps are suggested. They recommend that students carry only essential items to school.

Changes in curriculum and timetable, with focus on only three or four main subjects a day; use of thin notebooks; sharing of textbooks; and use of digital content are some of the other suggestions.

The guidelines recommend that more drinking water and lunch facilities be ensured in schools so that students do not have to carry these to school. It suggests that weight of bags should be checked once a month in schools.

The guidelines also call for implementing the Union government directions on capping the weight of school bags at 10% of the weight of a student or announcing bag-less days.

Another draft report on creating classrooms without ‘backbenchers’ moots a number of models such as ‘U’, ‘H,’ circular, stadium seating, and a combination that emphasises flexible learning environment, mobility, collaborative learning, and self-exploration as part of democratisation of classrooms.

Subject-specific and even topic-specific classroom setting such as that for group activity or debate, and changes to buildings that house classrooms are also suggested. Classrooms need not always be square, should be sustainable and eco-friendly, ensure light and ventilation, be able to integrate technology, and reduce noise transmission, it added.

These draft reports have been approved by the State Curriculum Steering Committee, and will be made available on the SCERT website for comments and suggestions till January 20.