Neelam Choudhary
Have we, the parents of school going kids, particularly at elementary level ever imagined what we are doing to ease their burden? While packing their bags, or helping them do so, have we ever questioned why ,after so many educational reforms, and the recommendations of so many committees, still our children are carrying backpacks weighing much beyond the permissible limits? Most of the so called ‘International’ schools claim to be maintaining international standards, without reducing the burden of school bags. Browsing the literature shows that CBSE and some other boards have strict guidelines regarding how much a school bag should weigh, apart from giving some related instructions. But surprisingly and shockingly, neither the parents nor the school authorities seem to be interested in implementing these guidelines. As a result, back pain, muscle pain, neck and shoulder pain as well as in severe cases, some more serious health issues among these children often remain unnoticed by us. These is sufficient empirical evidence from across India as well as different parts of the world that there is high degree of correlation between carrying of heavy school bags by children and occurrence of these problems.Most of the health professionals agree and recommend 10% of the body weight as the appropriate weight of school bag. But who follows it? It is indisputable that the children of today ; the future doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers etc. need to be much more competitive than the people of their preceding generations. But do they need to pay in terms of their health? Things like an e-classroom for teaching every topic, uploading every assignment to be done online at home or providing of electronic portable gadgets instead of school bags are a distant reality in near future, despite the fact that some developed nations and some metro cities of India have already adopted it or working on it.
But there are unlimited possibilities, which when explored properly, with expert opinions, as well as with inputs from the main stakeholders i.e. children, parents and teachers, can do wonders. Such health issues have been found to be more in urban areas, as sports equipments or other kits need to be carried. It is high time all of us worked on this. We need not feel pride in that a heavy bag means a way to acquiring more knowledge. Nor should we compare it to our school days. Time has changed now, with the latest wave of ICT. The school authorities can be requested to follow the guidelines and implement them properly, as well as send circulars to parents in this regard, so that they too can do their bit. Jointly we can give our children a joyful experience of school without suffering pains every day.The schools should provide locker facilities, wherever possible. They are our kids. Let’s de-stress them. They shall shape the future of India. Let’s give them a better future. Why should the responsibility for battling against social ills lie with NGOs or rights activists? All of us can do it peacefully.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Jammu University)
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