Srinagar, Nov 25, KNT: Despite clear government guidelines to reduce school bag weight, many children across Jammu and Kashmir continue to carry loads far heavier than permitted, with parents blaming certain private schools for prescribing bulky books from private publishers instead of lighter BOSE textbooks.
According to the School Bag Policy issued by the Ministry of Education and endorsed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, children in Classes 1 and 2 should not carry bags weighing more than 1.5 to 2 kg. The permissible limit gradually increases to a maximum of 5 kg for students of Classes 9 and 10. The policy also states that homework for Classes 1 and 2 should be barred and that schools must avoid unnecessary textbooks, notebooks or materials.
Parents told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that while BOSE textbooks are comparatively light and designed to ease the burden on students, several private schools continue to prescribe their own sets of books, many of them printed on heavy paper and packaged with multiple workbooks. They said children often carry more books than required for daily classes, further adding to the physical strain.
Parents said repeated complaints to schools have yielded little change, as institutions argue that private books offer “better quality content,” a claim many parents dispute. They said the problem becomes worse for younger children who walk to school or travel long distances in public transport.
Education officials said schools are required to comply with the School Bag Policy and that inspections have been carried out in the past to ensure adherence. They added that institutions found violating the guidelines may face action under existing rules.
Experts warn that excessive school bag weight can cause posture problems, muscle strain and long-term back issues in children. They have urged schools to strictly follow mandated limits and rely on BOSE textbooks wherever applicable to reduce the load.
Parents have appealed to the authorities for strict monitoring so that students are not subjected to unnecessary physical burden in the name of improved learning. [KNT]
