Maharashtra cuts school bag burden, caps load at 10% of child’s body weight

MUMBAI: In a much-needed relief for students across the state, the state government has put a cap on the weight of school bags at 10% of a student's body weight. A government resolution to this effect was issued on Tuesday and a report was tabled in the legislative council on Wednesday. "In an earlier government resolution (GR) to reduce the weight of school bags, there was no clarity on what the maximum weight should be due to which it was difficult to judge if it was being implemented. Hence, despite two GRs, there were several complaints about the weights," said school education secretary, Nand Kumar in the resolution. The prescribed weight of the bags for students of classes I to VIII is between 1,800 gms and 3,425 gms. The government had set up a committee to suggest ways to reduce the weight of school bags. The committee had made 44 recommendations which were put up on the state department's website for suggestions from stakeholders. The guidelines call upon both parents and schools to ensure that the weight of the school bags does not exceed the prescribed limit of 10% of a student's body weight. Parents have been asked to ensure that students carry only those books which are essential for the day and not send additional activity books or material. Parents have been advised to turn their attention towards keeping the child's body mass index (BMI) healthy. "Eating junk food increases the weight of a child but does not make the child stronger. Schools providing midday meals and parents must ensure that a healthy BMI is maintained," said the GR.   TOI