DSEJ asks schools to implement NCERT guidelines for reducing weight of school bags

Apr 28, 2025 JKUpdates

The lax implementation of the guidelines for reducing weight of school bags has forced the authorities to issue fresh instructions to schools for compliance.

Over the years, repeated circular instructions and orders have been issued by the J&K School Education Department (SED) and Ministry of Education regarding reducing weight of school children.

However, there has been poor implementation of all these orders till date.

In wake of this, a fresh circular has been issued by Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) regarding implementation of the National School Bag Policy, 2020 in Schools of Jammu Division.

As per the circular , all the schools in Jammu division have been directed to implement measures to reduce the burden of school bags and Promote student well-being.

The circular instructions have been issued in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) under the National School Bag Policy, 2020,

As per the Policy, the schools have been asked to ensure that the weight of school bags does not exceed 1.6kg to 2.2 kg for classes 1st and 2nd primary and 1.7kg to 2.5 kg for students of class 3rd primary to 5th primary.

For classes 6th to 7th, the weight of school bag should not exceed beyond 3kg while the weight of school bags of class 8th should remain between 2.5kg to 4kgs.

Also, the weight of school bags of class 10th students should not exceed beyond 4.5kg while the weight of school bags of class 11th and 12th students should not exceed beyond 5kg.

As per the circular, the school teachers have been asked to inform the students in advance about the books and notebooks to be brought to school on particular day.

“The teachers should frequently check their bags to ensure that they are not carrying unnecessary material. Only required textbooks should be prescribed, avoiding unnecessary extra books,” the circular reads.

The circular reads that files and thin or light exercise books should be Preferred over thick ones.

“Students should be regularly advised by the teachers and schools to bring lighter school bags,” it reads.

The teachers have been asked to coordinate scheduling to prevent students from carry, multiple heavy books on the same day.

“Schools should create subject-wise time slots to minimize excessive loads,” it reads.

As per the circular, students upto class 2nd should not be given any home work in accordance with School Bag Policy -2020.

“A maximum home work of two hours a week should be given to students from class 3 to 5th,” it reads.

For middle schools, it has been advised that home work of one hour a day (5 to 6 hours a week) should be given to students.

For Secondary and Higher Secondary students, the teachers have been asked to assign home work of two hours a day (about 10 to 12 hours a week) to the students

“Homework should be given as per the capacity of the student which they enjoy and gives them an opportunity to Involve in creative work, experiential learning and improve their Problem solving skills,” the DSEJ circular reads.

The teacher of a particular class have been asked to assign homework after coordinating with each other and thus resulting In less burden of homework for a student.

“Schools should set up storage lockers for students where possible which will enable them to keep books and materials at school instead of carrying them daily,” it reads.

The schools have been asked to encourage the use of digital learning tools and e-books where feasible.

“Schools should provide good quality drinking water in the school premises. Schools should regularly clean the overhead underground water storage tanks,” the circular reads

In its circular, the DSEJ has also instructed schools to create awareness among parents during Parent-Teacher meeting on the Importance of carrying lighter bags by their children.

“The Chief Education Officer (CEO) and Zonal Education Officers (ZE0s) shall ensure strict implementation of this policy,” the circular reads.