KOCHI: The High Court on Tuesday sought the view of the Central Government on a petition seeking to lighten the weight of school bags. It also directed to implead the state government in the petition.
The court order came on a petition filed by Dr Johny Cyriac of Kochi seeking a directive to the CBSE for taking immediate steps to ensure no school student carries school bags heavier than 10 per cent of his/her body weight.
The petitioner submitted carrying heavy school bags had an adverse effect on students’ health. He said the CBSE director had issued a circular in 2016 directing all its affiliated schools to take appropriate steps for reducing the weight of school bags.
“The circular had suggested schools formulate a weekly timetable in a way that a minimum number of textbooks are required on a day. Textbooks for classes I to VIII should be made lightweight. It also suggested no homework be assigned to students of class I and II. It said students should be instructed not to bring heavy water bottles to school and schools should ensure adequate supply of safe, potable water on the campus,” submitted the petitioner.