Delhi govt asks schools to implement new school bag policy

Heavy school bags are a serious threat to the health and well-being of school students. These have adverse physical effects on the growing children which can cause damage to their vertebral column and knees, the DoE said

NEW DELHI : The Delhi government has directed schools in the national capital to implement the new “schoolbag policy” to reduce the weight of school bags and the burden of students.”Heavy school bags are a serious threat to the health and well-being of school students. These have adverse physical effects on the growing children which can cause damage to their vertebral column and knees.“Moreover, in the schools which are functioning in double or multi-story buildings, children have to climb the stairs with heavy school bags which further aggravates the problem,” the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in a letter to school principals.

The Ministry of Education had notified the new school bag policy last month which is in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP).

From no textbooks for pre-primary classes to single notebook for classes 1 and 2, frequent checks of school bags to ensure students do not carry heavyweight, informing the students and parents regarding appropriate kind of school bags and encouraging students to use both straps of bags, are among the recommendations made by the government.

As per the suggestions, which are in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP), the weight of school bags for students between classes 1-10 should not be more than 10 percent of their body weight.

REFERENCE: https://www.livemint.com/education/news/delhi-govt-asks-schools-to-implement-new-school-bag-policy-11609850184050.html