With the Ministry of Human Resource Development issuing the order for Meghalaya Government to scrap the heavy weight of the schoolbags for the schoolgoing children of Classes 1 & 2 and also asked to put restrictions on homework, after which the Meghalaya Government issued a formal notice saying “We have issued instructions via a notification, setting limits on the weight of school bags. This is in line with the guidelines of the Union Human Resources Development Ministry, keeping in mind that the weights the children carry affect their health,” Education Principal Secretary D P Wahlang told PTI.
The Department also asked the institution’s heads to ensure that timetables are formulated in a way that the students are obstructed to bring a high amount of books increasing the weight on shoulders.
“The weight of school bags for classes 1 and 2 has been capped at 1.5 kg, while bags for those studying in classes 3 to 5 should not exceed 3 kg,” the notification said.
For Classes 6 and 7, the maximum weight is 4kg, for Classes 8 and 9, it is 4.5 kg and maximum weight for Class 10th is 5 kg.
“Schools should make sure that the students are asked to carry only those textbooks that have been mentioned in their time table,” the order said.
The Education Department also instructed schools to discontinue giving homework for the subjects which are not a part of the subjects recommended by CBSE, ICSE or MBOSE (Meghalaya Board of School Education).
“Students should not be forced to bring additional books and materials,” it said.