NCPCR to brainstorm ways to lighten bulky school bags

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is all set to hold a national level consultation on ways of reducing weight of bulky school bags.
The consultation in collaboration with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will be held on August 24, an official said.
The Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) had earlier directed its schools to exempt students up to Class 2 from bringing school bags and restricted the number of books carried till class 8.
The HRD ministry has also been planning to introduce comprehensive norms on the issue.
A pilot project has also been initiated across 25 Kendriya Vidyalayas to provide digital learning to students through tablets.

Representatives of education departments of various states, State Council of Educational Research and Training, HRD ministry and NGOs have been invited for the national consultation.
"We will be reviewing steps taken by states following the CBSE advisory and examine the best practices to formulate a standard operating procedure," Priyank Kanoongo, Member - RTE and Education, NCPCR said.
An official of the Ministry of Women and Child Development said the step was being taken to provide relief to school students who often suffer from physical ailments due to carrying heavy school bags.