Syllabus section: Polity and governance

Why in News?

The Union Education Minister proposed a new School Bag Policy 2020 that has recommended putting a maximum cap on the weight allowed to be carried by students.

Provisions of the policy:

• As per the new School Bag Policy 2020 proposed by the Education Ministry, the maximum weight of the school bags has been capped at 10% of the student’s weight.

• In addition to this, the new policy also proposed that students below Class 2 will not be given any homework as per the proposal of the new policy.

• The new School Bag Policy proposed by Education Ministry is in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

• Along with capping of the weight of School Bags, the new policy also recommends that students below Class 2 shouldn’t be given any homework, which will further reduce the weight of the bags carried by students.

• Also, the policy proposes setting up of student lockers on school premises, where students can keep their important books and other items that are used only in school and need not be carried to and back from school daily.

• To ensure compliance with the new School Bag Policy, schools will also be asked to get digital weighing machines / scales while another recommendation is about discontinuing wheeled carrier or trolley school bags.

 

 

 

Source: PIB