Srinagar: An expert panel has agreed to reduce the weight of bags of school-going children in the Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a report, available with INS, the members including Prof. A.G. Madhosh, Former Head of the Department, Department of Commerce, University of Kashmir; Prof. (Dr.) Nusrat Andrabi, Ex-Principal & Member of Indian Red Cross Society; Prof. Abdul Jabbar (Retd.) Ex-Principal Govt. Degree College Bemina and Prof. Veena Pandita, Secretary, J&K State Board of School Education, met here.
“All the committee members agreed in principle that some weight needs to be reduced from the backs of school going children. Accordingly, after a brainstorming session on the suggestions and measures put forth by each member of the committee, the committee members came down to the conclusion that each member shall prepare a zero draft for his and her suggestions that shall be discussed point by point in its every facet,” the report said.
Subsequently, it was decided that each member would furnish the zero draft of suggestions in the next round of meeting.
In July 2014, a government-appointed panel in Mumbai had revealed that children carry very heavy school bags in comparison to their age and over 58 per cent of students below 10 years are suffering from orthopaedic ailments.
The committee had recommended that one book should be used for three months for each subject and the textbook weight can be reduced by using less weight paper and no hardcover.
It had also suggested use of e-classroom, audio- visual technology and other technological means for teaching.
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