Mumbai : Headmasters and school principals in various schools across the state have written to parents requesting them to ensure their children’s bags are not too heavy as the state government’s government resolution (GR) on weight of school bags will be in force from December 1.
For years, there has been no control on the weight of school bags. It was observed that primary school students were carrying bags more than the half of their weight, leading to back ache and spine problems from a tender age.
Following complaints from parents, education minister Vindo Tawde visited local schools to learn the gravity of the issue. He then invited public discussions and debate over the issue of school bag weight.
Eventually, after high court intervention, the school education department of the state government came up with a GR on the same. The latest GR issued on November 5, to be implemented from today, states that school directors and principals will be held responsible if students are found carrying heavy school bags.
Earlier, a few headmasters had objected to the GR saying it would be unfair to hold them responsible. A delegation of headmasters had met education officials but the GR has remained unchanged. Finally, school heads decided to educate parents and ensure their cooperation on the issue.
Schools issued a note to parents asking them to reduce the weight of the school bag. They have also given some tips to do so. They have suggested giving schoolchildren small plastic water bottles and tiffins instead of heavy metal ones.
Headmaster of a Thane-based English medium private school said: “We have already made arrangements to provide lockers to students at school so that they don’t have to carry work books and other heavy books and notebooks. Besides, we also have a drinking water facility so that do not have to carry big water bottles.”
