In a significant move to alleviate the weight of school bags, the Karnataka government has implemented measures to reduce the number of textbooks by 50 per cent for students in classes 1 to 10, starting from the academic year 2024-25. This decision aims to promote a scientifically structured approach to learning while addressing concerns about the physical strain on students, The Hindu reported.
Under the new directive, instead of providing all textbooks at once for the entire academic year, students will receive two books annually. These will be distributed as per the Summative Assessment (SA-1 and SA-2), effectively splitting the content and lightening the load for students.
The official order issued by the State Government reflects the culmination of efforts by a committee formed in 2019. Comprising education experts, pediatricians, doctors, legal advisors, and officials from the Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT), the committee conducted a thorough study on reducing the burden of school bags.
Their findings suggested weight ranges for school bags based on classes: 1.5 to 2 kg for classes 1 to 2, 2 to 3 kg for classes 3 to 5, 3 to 4 kg for classes 6 to 8, and 4 to 5 kg for classes 9 and 10. However, the initial implementation of this order was limited to government schools, with persistent complaints about private schools not adhering to the guidelines.
The need for action was highlighted in a meeting led by the Commissioner of the Department of School Education on October 6, 2023. Subsequently, a committee chaired by the Director of the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board recommended a 50 per cent reduction in textbook size. The committee’s report was submitted to the government on October 12, 2023.
Recognising that the weight of school bags is not solely attributed to textbooks, the committee proposed a school-level check on the weight of each child’s bag. Schools are urged to ensure that only subject textbooks and notebooks are carried, with additional measures suggested for managing other materials in a separate rough notebook.
In terms of financial implications, the Karnataka Textbooks Society (KTBS) printed a total of 566 titles and 6,39,83,899 textbooks for Rs 323,31,93,175 in the academic year 2023-24. Following the new recommendation, textbooks for SA-1 and SA-2 will be printed separately, with an estimated cost of Rs 8,45,72,950 for the additional titles.
This initiative not only addresses the physical strain on students but also emphasises a more organised and efficient learning system for the benefit of the educational community in Karnataka.
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