Following a recent order by the Madras High Court on the load that the school children can carry, the Education Department of Assam Government has also issued a notification to limit the weight of school bags for school-going children of the State.
The notification said the maximum weight of school bags is 1.5 kg for classes I and II, 2 kg to 3 kg for classes III to V, 4 kg for classes VI and VII, 4.5 kg for classes VIII and IX and 5 kg for class X.
The notification also said that no homework should be given to the students of classes I and II.
The guidelines stated that only language and mathematics should be prescribed as subjects for the students of classes I and II.
The notification said that language, environment science and mathematics are prescribed for classes III to V by NCERT/ SCERT, reports The Telegraph on Tuesday.
The notification added that schools prescribing homework and non-prescribed subjects for classes I to V will be disaffiliated.
The schools have to inform their students in advance about the kind of books that they should carry and should check that they carry the necessary books according to their class timetable.
As per the guidelines the schools should advise their students on the appropriate kind of school bags to be carried and regularly check the students’ bags to ensure that they do not carry any unnecessary materials.
The Education Department has formed special squads at the district level and block level to inspect whether the schools are carrying out the rules according to the notification.
The district-level special squad will have the Deputy Commissioner as chairman, Inspector of Schools as member secretary and four members — Superintendent of Police, District Elementary Education Officer, District Social Welfare Officer and one educationist nominated by the Deputy Commissioner.
The block-level special squad will have circle officer as chairperson, block level elementary education officer as member secretary and four members — officer-in-charge of police station, block development officer, child development project officer and one educationist nominated by circle officer, the report said.