Odisha govt to form squads to check weight of schoolbags

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today issued an order directing all district education officers and Collectors to ensure implementation of Centre’s guidelines for reduction of weight of school bags for students from Class I to X.

The move came after reports of some students in English medium schools are not following the rules and the school authorities are also not doing anything in this regard.

The School and Mass Education Department, in a letter addressed to all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Collectors has asked to conduct surprise inspections in schools across the state and take stringent action if anyone found violating the rule.

The Department has instructed the DEOs and Collectors to form special teams to the same and submit the report by September, the letter said.

This apart, the officials were also asked to check whether the students are using the books prescribed by the National Council of Education Research & Training (NCERT) and State Council of Education Research & Training (SCERT).

The Union Ministry for Human Resource Development in October last year directed all States to draw up guidelines to reduce the weight of schoolbags.

Weight of school bag (As per the order):

• Class I and II: Should not be above 1.5 kg
• Classes III to V: Two-three kg
• Classes VI-VII: Four kg
• Classes VIII-IX: 4.5 kg
• Class X: Five kg