NGO lifts load off students’ backs By: Yogita Rao August 29, 2005
It’s been the curse of every Mumbai student for generations — a school bag capable of breaking a few backs. Now at last, a Chembur NGO has gotten serious about finding a solution and making the journey to school a lot less painful for lakhs of students.
House to house
Members of Chembur-based Touch have started visiting school children’s homes with weighing scales to compare the weight of the child with the weight of his or her backpack. A school bag should ideally be less than 10 per cent of the weight of its carrier.
“Heavy school bags can cause serious long-term back problems. We will soon present a report to the government, with our findings and a few suggestions,” said Bambi Pillai, a member of Touch.
Make it compulsory
The NGO will also offer suggestions to the education department, so that the government drafts rules on the issue. “Until it is made compulsory, no school will act on this. But if the government takes a firm stand, schools will have no option but to comply,” added Pillai.
Ideas
“There are many ways in which schools can reduce the weight of backpacks. There should be good co-ordination between teachers so that they don’t end up asking children to get bring all their books on the same day,” said Girdhari Sonvaniya, father of a student from St Gregorious School.
“It is a serious issue and needs to be addressed. We are planning to have discussions. One suggestion is to have worksheets for class work. We will think about it,” said Father Nelson, principal of OLPS High School.
Students to blame
However, B S Mali, education inspector for N Ward, said students are equally responsible for the weight of their school bags.
“They bring their guides and workbooks, which are not essential, apart from other unnecessary books. The school cannot always help in this matter. Parents should also keep a check on their children’s bags.”
He said the government could only offer suggestions, not draft rules.
Suggestions for schools
• Locker system in schools
• Dividing large books into two or three smaller ones
• Getting half the students to get their texts for the first 15 days and the rest later
• Keeping regular tabs on the weight of school bags
• Timetables that keep bag weight to a minimum
Health threat
Health experts say school bags should be less than 10 per cent of the child’s weight. Heavy bags affect the child’s posture and in extreme cases may result in stunted growth. Carrying a school bag on one shoulder may lead to an asymmetrical spine.
Trisha Pillai Bag weight: 4.5 kg Body weight: 20 kg 4.5/20 = 0.225 Ideal ratio: 0.1
Vignesh Suresh Kumar Bag weight: 5 kg Body weight: 20 kg 5/20 = 0.25
Dinsha Suresh Kumar Bag weight: 6 kg Body weight: 24 kg 6/24 = 0.25
Devika Patil Bag weight: 6 kg Body weight: 40 kg 6/40 = 0.15
Mohit Gianani Bag weight: 10 kg Body weight: 42 kg
10/42 = 0.24