The Heavy Dilemma: Should Heavy School Bags Be Banned in India?

India's Educational Burden

The weight of school bags has become a pressing issue for students and their parents. In urban areas, particularly during the harsh summers, excessive heat, crowded streets, and overloaded buses add to the stress on children. This stress is exacerbated by the ever-increasing weight of their school bags, which are often filled to the brim with books, stationery, and extra academic materials. The question arises: should heavy school bags be banned in India?

The Struggle Continues

Despite technological advancements and digital resources, many students still carry heavy backpacks to school. This reality is further compounded by societal pressure from family and friends. Neighbors and parents often inquire about grades and test rankings, leading to an added mental burden. Meanwhile, media personalities and public figures occasionally show interest in minority votes, diverting attention from the genuine struggles faced by students.

The Health Impact

Heavy school bags can have serious repercussions on a student's health. According to a study by the Movement Analysis Lab of Srinivas College of Physiotherapy and Research Centre, bags weighing as little as 15% of a student's body weight can cause significant discomfort. These studies have highlighted that such loads can lead to:

Back and neck pain Damage to spinal health Reduced lung function Pain in muscles Sickness Abnormal body posture Difficulty in breathing when bending forward

According to the reports by the Times of India, in some districts, the average weight of a student's school bag in primary schools is around 10 to 12 kg, and it rises to 15 to 17 kg in high schools. These findings underscore the urgent need for intervention.

Proposed Measures to Mitigate the Problem

To alleviate the burden on students' backs, several measures should be implemented. These include:

Reducing the number of subjects: Instead of having six subjects a day, only three main subjects per day with two periods each could be conducted. This would reduce the need to carry multiple books. Providing lockers: Lockers should be installed in schools to store sports equipment and books, reducing the need to carry everything to school. Implementing weight restrictions: Backpacks should be restricted to less than 5% of the student's body weight. This can be achieved by using school lockers, CDs, and USB flash drives for storage. Optimizing the timetable: Proper planning and conducting a balanced time-table can reduce the need to load heavy bags with necessary textbooks. Book exchanges: Students should be allowed to borrow books from other sections where the same subject is not being taught, further reducing the baggage.

Conclusion

The weight of school bags, ranging from student to student and school to school, varies, but it is true that many children in India carry heavy bags. The government has not emphasized on these important issues, though they should prioritize student health and wellbeing. It is time for action to be taken to lighten the load on students and ensure their health and academic success.

Call to Action: Sign the petition by Smriti Irani, Member of Parliament and CBSE, to promote the framing of a law for students to carry light-weight school bags.