Bihar Schools to Monitor Bag Weight as per NCERT Norms

The Bihar State Education Department has asked all government-aided and private schools in the state to follow the NCERT 2020 guidelines regarding the ideal bag weight for school-going students. The initiative aims to reduce physical strain on students and promote overall well-being.

As per media reports, Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwari stated that schools are required to install weighing machines on school campuses to monitor the weight of school bags on a regular basis. He also stated that schools need to prepare timetables in a way that students avoid carrying unnecessary books and materials. 

The minister further stated that the decision has been taken following the directions from the CM as part of the state government's efforts to make the education system more transparent, equitable and student-friendly. 

He also highlighted that good health and stress-free minds of school-going students are important for nation-building, and areas like health, physical education, and art education need help for the all-around development of children. 

NCERT guidelines state that schools should make routine checks mandatory for the bag weight of students by maintaining a functional weighing machine on campus. Teachers must randomly check the school bag weights of students in classes 1 to 5 once every three months and inform parents if the bag is found to be too heavy. 

Information related to heavy bags needs to be communicated to the concerned parents of the child, and proper monitoring of students for one or two weeks to ensure correct action is taken.

Steps have been taken by the government with the intention of easing the burden on students, addressing concerns that are raised by parents, including warnings to private schools against a random increase in school fees.