NewKerala.com

Kerala Approves School Bag Weight Reduction, Aims to Eliminate Backbenchers

The Kerala government has approved a draft report proposing major reforms in general education, focusing on reducing school bag weight and eliminating the concept of 'back benchers' to democratize classrooms. The draft is now open for public consultation until January 20, with plans to implement the changes from the next academic year. Simultaneously, Kerala is among six states yet to implement the national directive setting a minimum age of six for Class 1 admission as per NEP 2020. The state aims to use these measures to create a more child-friendly and democratic school environment.

Key Points: Kerala's School Reforms: Lighter Bags, No Backbenchers

  • Reduce school bag weight for student well-being
  • Eliminate 'back bencher' concept for democratized classrooms
  • Draft report open for public consultation until Jan 20
  • Reforms target implementation next academic year
  • Kerala among states yet to align with national age criterion for Class 1
3 min read

Reducing bag weight, eliminating backbenchers: Kerala govt approves draft report

Kerala govt approves draft to reduce school bag weight and democratize classrooms by eliminating backbenchers. Public feedback invited until Jan 20.

"these reforms would help make schools more child-friendly and democratic - V Sivankutty"

Thiruvananthapuram, January 9

Kerala government's State Curriculum Steering Committee has approved the draft report on measures to reduce school bag weight and eliminate 'back benchers', said the state General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty.

As part of implementing two major reforms aimed at bringing qualitative changes in the state's general education sector, the proposed measures focus on reducing the weight of school bags to ensure the physical and mental well-being of students, and creating a classroom environment without 'back benchers' as part of the democratisation of classrooms, according to an official statement on Thursday.

Earlier, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) had been entrusted with studying these proposals in detail. Based on this, reports were prepared and discussed in detail at today's State Curriculum Steering Committee meeting. The committee subsequently approved the draft report.

To ensure broader social participation in the education process, the draft report has been placed on public consultation. The report will be made available on the SCERT website. Teachers, parents, students and the general public can submit their suggestions and opinions on the proposals until January 20.

After considering public feedback, the General Education Department aims to implement these changes in schools from the start of the next academic year. The Minister said that these reforms would help make schools more child-friendly and democratic.

On the other hand, six States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala, have yet to implement the 6-year minimum age criterion for admission to Class 1.

As many as 30 states and UTs have already aligned their admission norms with the policy, sources told ANI.

In 2023, the education ministry issued a directive to states and UTs to admit students to Class 1 only at the age of "6+" years, instead of the earlier practice of "5+" years, as per the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

Some states continue to follow disparate age criteria for Class 1 admissions.

"The policy is very clear. Admission to Grade I has to be at six years of age, and States and UTs have been asked to strictly align their admission norms accordingly," a source said.

"So far, 30 states and UT have implemented the rule, but Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puduchery, Kerala and Chhattisgarh have not implemented the directives yet," the source added.

The age criterion is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places children aged three to eight in the foundational stage of schooling. Under the revised 5+3+3+4 structure, the foundational stage includes three years of pre-school education followed by two years of primary schooling.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative by Kerala govt! 👏 The focus on physical and mental well-being is much needed. However, I'm more concerned about the age criterion issue. Why is Kerala delaying the NEP 2020 rule? We need national uniformity in education standards.
S
Sarah B
The concept of democratising classrooms by removing the 'backbencher' label is interesting. In many schools, seating position unfairly influences teacher perception. But implementation will be key - will they rotate seating or redesign classrooms entirely?
A
Arjun K
Bag weight reduction is long overdue. But what about digital textbooks? Instead of just asking kids to carry fewer books, why not promote tablets with all textbooks loaded? Many private schools are already doing this. Public schools should catch up.
M
Meera T
I appreciate that they're seeking public feedback until Jan 20. This is how policy should be made - with stakeholder input. As a teacher, I worry about practical challenges. Classrooms are crowded. How do we ensure every child is equally visible and engaged without physical 'back rows'?
V
Vikram M
Kerala often leads in educational reforms, but they're lagging on the age criterion. The 6+ rule makes sense developmentally. Other states have implemented it - why the delay? These two reforms (bag weight and seating) are good, but aligning with national policy is equally important.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50