A Heavy Burden for Bengaluru Students, ETEducation
Heavy school bags cause back pain as bag-free days fail, classrooms lack storage, and teachers insist on all books daily
Bengaluru students are still struggling under the weight of their school bags, even years after the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and NCERT’s school bag policy set strict guidelines on bag weight. Experts say the problem persists as many schools insist that students carry all textbooks to class due to the lack of in-class storage facilities, while students themselves fear being “in the bad books” of teachers if they leave books at school.
“Even if we want to leave some books in the classroom, teachers ask us to bring everything. Sometimes it feels like we are carrying our entire library on our backs,” said Rashmi S, a Class VIII student at a Bengaluru school. Parents also complain about back pain and fatigue caused by overstuffed bags.
Guidelines ignored
The NEP 2020 emphasises reducing school bag weight and introduces bag-free days for students in Years 6–8 to participate in experiential learning activities such as visits to local craftsmen, artists and gardens. In line with this, the NCERT School Bag Policy (2020) recommends that bag weight be limited to roughly 10% of a child’s body weight: pre-primary students should carry no bag; Years 1 and 2, 1.6–2.2 kg; Years 3 to 5, 1.7–2.5 kg; Years 6 and 7, 2–3 kg; Year 8, 2.5–4 kg; Years 9 and 10, 2.5–4.5 kg; and Years 11 and 12, 3.5–5 kg.
Despite repeated government advisories to states and union territories to implement these norms, Bengaluru schools, like many across the country, continue to struggle with adherence. Experts highlight that without lockers or shelves in classrooms, students are forced to carry multiple textbooks, notebooks and stationery daily.
Policy in practice
Dr Kavitha R, a school teacher, said, “The NEP’s 10-day bag-free period and other guidelines are excellent in principle, but infrastructure limitations and teacher insistence on having all books present often nullify these benefits. Schools and parents need to work together to ease this daily burden.”
The Ministry of Education has also suggested that ‘Bag-Free Days’ be conducted throughout the year, encouraging activities like arts, quizzes, sports, visits to historical sites and local skill-based learning. The initiative, launched on the fourth anniversary of NEP 2020 in July 2024, aims to make school learning stress-free and joyful, but practical implementation remains a challenge in Bengaluru schools.
“Until schools and local authorities improve classroom facilities and streamline textbook requirements, Bengaluru students will continue to bear the heavy burden, literally, of their education,” added Naresh Kumar, a parent.
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