Prakash Javadekar: Fresh norms to be issued for CBSE schools to reduce school bag burden

At an event organised by the CBSE, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that in order to reduce the burden of school bags on students, the HRD ministry is working on fresh norms for CBSE schools. He also gave the Green Schools Awards, instituted by the Centre for Science and Environment, among others to a school in Punjab’s Moga, a Kendriya Vidyalaya from Hebbal in Karnataka, and a sports school from Sonipat, Haryana.

Children from various schools were present at the event.

“I am going to reduce the weight of school bags… Carrying heavy bags is not necessary. It will definitely happen. We are preparing norms for CBSE schools that bundles of books and notebooks do not have to be needlessly carried,” he said.

While CBSE has directed its schools that students upto class 2 should not bring school bags and the restricted the number of books carried till class 8, the HRD ministry is looking at these aspects to make the norms more effective, broad based as well as comprehensive, ministry officials said.

Other changes expected

Javadekar added that another change he plans to make is regarding project work assigned to school children. He said that most of the time parents have to pitch in to complete the projects assigned to their wards.

Referring to an instance in his family, Javadekar said he once saw his granddaughter working on project-work at home with the help of her mother. When asked what was happening, he was told that without the assistance of adults, the teacher would not mark a ‘star’ for the assignment.

“…But the real education is where the child learns even if he makes a mistake. The seniors can guide though…The parents too need to be educated,” he said.

source”cnbc”