MHRD said CBSE to give report on Heavy School Bags

On the issue over heavy school bags and sufferings of little children who go to school with those heavy bags, the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) has asked CBSE to file an Action Taken Report (ATR). The letter sent by MHRD is result of action taken from the Nagpur resident Rajendra Dani, who asked questions over CBSE’s intention on piling up books every year making life harder for school children.

Dani has written a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seeking clarification over the issue of heavy bags and constant burdening of school books by CBSE to the students. The Under Secretary to government of India Sanjay Singh said in a letter to the CBSE chairman that “you are requested to furnish action taken report/comments in the matter may be sent to Prime Minister’s Office directly under intimation of this ministry within two weeks.” The HRD ministry has written the letter on March 12 and the time frame to reply back by CBSE is almost over. The PMO is expecting a reply soon from CBSE which seeks answers from the body, taken to reduce the constant pressure of books on school children.

According to medical experts, students must not carry more than 5-10% of their own body weight and there are certain medical communities who even feel that the maximum weight for school children should be 5%. But to our surprise, it is found through independent studies that on average Indian students carry 18% of their body weight everyday including their tiffin and water bottles.