In a proactive move to prioritize student well-being, Madhya Pradesh has unveiled two poignant initiatives aimed at cultivating a stress-free learning environment for children.
Firstly, the state government has introduced a ‘bag-less day’ in schools once a week. This initiative is designed to alleviate the burden on students caused by heavy school bags, a common source of physical strain and mental stress. By allowing students to attend school without their bags on designated days, Madhya Pradesh seeks to create a more relaxed atmosphere conducive to learning.
Next, the government said, students from classes 1 to 12 will be required to carry bags within specified weight limits determined by the school management committee. These limits vary according to grade level, with higher classes allotted stricter weight restrictions to ensure students’ physical well-being. For example, while students in classes 1 and 2 may carry bags weighing between 1.6-2.2 kg, those in classes 9 and 10 are limited to bags weighing 2.5-4.5 kg.
Further, elaborating on the details of the announcement, the Madhya Pradesh Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh was quoted as saying, “To avoid stress on children due to the burden of their bags, we have categorised the weight of bags of students according to their class. The younger students’ bag weight will be up to 2.2 kg and the older students’ bag weight will be 4.5 kg.”
“We have also decided ‘bag-less school once a week,” he added.
