NCPCR says private schools more responsible for forcing heavy bags on students

New Delhi, Aug 7: Attempts are being made by the National Commission for Protection of Child Right (NCPCR) under Union ministry for women and child development to lighten the burden of school bags. The NCPCR has given some suggested to the concerned authorities by saying that private schools don't follow scheduled curriculum and teach books from private publishers making the bag heavier.

In suggestions sent to Union Human Resource development ministry, NCPCR said that books must be distributed as per the monthly schedule. Amendment in the Right to Education Bill 2009 should be made to decide that the weight of the school bag must not be more than 10 per cent of the weight children.

Member of National Commission for Protection of Child Right Priyank Kanungo said, "Our education system is facing lots of challenges and problems but no one ever discusses the increasing weight of the school bag and its impact on the health of students. This did not get a place even in the RTE."

Kanungo said that suggestions sent to the MHRD that if books are divided as per monthly educational plan and every subject has just one book for a month then the problem will be shorted out. This way not only weight of the bag will be reduced but separate books would not be necessary to carry to the school. The commission also suggested to the ministry that books must not be published in glazed paper that will also make the books lighter.

As per Kanungo, the survey of the commission has found that the total number of private schools out of the total school is just 23.7 per cent and private schools recommend many out of syllabus book for more commission making the bag heavier while as per RTI 2009's section 29 this is clear that NCERT is an educational authority and any recognized school cannot force students and their parents to buy books outside NCERT list.

The commission also recommended that NCERT being an educational authority must also provide time table to every state as per class rooms making it compulsory to read every subject. Besides that every state must have the power to make some changes as per requirement. It was also suggested that arrangement should be made to keep books in the schools. Potable water should be made available to children so they don't need to carry water bottle.