It must not be a
policy to take away the joys of living so early from our children. The relevant authorities should keep it in mind and devise ways so that the young learners do not grow a negative attitude towards education at the very beginning of their life
Overweight schoolbags
The High Court on August 11 issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why a directive should not be issued to formulate a law on childrens carrying of schoolbags weighing more than 10 per cent of their body weight. The secretary of the law and education ministries, director general of the directorate of primary education and the chairman of National Human Rights Commission have been made respondents to the rule. The media published and broadcasted several reports on childrens carrying of heavy schoolbags and the problems arising from carrying such weights.
There are ample reasons for expressing concern over this issue. Childrens carrying of schoolbags weighing five, six, seven or sometimes ten kgs puts physical, mental and psychological pressure on them. Very few children are fortunate enough who have their man servants or maid servants for carrying their schoolbags containing books and other educational materials. Besides, many children have to come to schools from distant places.
The authorities of schools should find out ways so that the children can be freed from carrying heavy schoolbags. A system can be developed so that the learners can complete their daily lessons at the classrooms. Teachers of the respective schools can play effective roles in this regard. Besides, the relevant authorities can ponder if changes can be made in the syllabuses and curriculums that can reduce the number of books. Arrangements can also be made for lockers at each school where the students can keep their books and other text related materials.
It must not be a policy to take away the joys of living so early from our children. The relevant authorities should keep it in mind and devise means so that the young learners do not grow a negative attitude towards education at the very beginning of their life. Our children should be provided with the scope of free thinking. There are also a lot of things that they can learn other than from books.
Robots can work like human beings but they are lifeless and bereft of all human feelings. Our children should not be allowed to grow a robotic tendency. It is high time for school authorities, educationists and all other stake holders to come up with a durable solution to this.
