Now Reading: Schools Still Send Young Children Home With Heavy Bags
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Schools Still Send Young Children Home With Heavy Bags
Hindustan Times reports that schoolbag rules remain poorly enforced despite a 2018 Madras High Court order, ministry directions and the Policy on School Bags 2020. The court asked authorities to keep bags…
The Story in Brief
Hindustan Times reports that schoolbag rules remain poorly enforced despite a 2018 Madras High Court order, ministry directions and the Policy on School Bags 2020. The court asked authorities to keep bags within 10% of a child’s body weight and end homework for Classes 1 and 2. The policy retains the 10% principle while urging practical controls. Schools can reduce daily loads through clearer timetables, fewer notebooks, lockers, drinking-water access and lighter books. The burden also includes lunch boxes, bottles and art materials. The paper says excessive homework can favour children with greater parental support and leave working families at a disadvantage.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy narrative is that heavy bags prove demanding, high-quality schooling. The opposite claim, that every book can simply move online, is no better, since screens can extend homework and exclude some families. The sensible test is basic: does each school publish a weekly book list, weigh sample bags each term and keep them within 10% of a child’s body weight? If not, the rule exists on paper בלבד.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
