Schoolbags still weigh students down

68% school children under 13 yrs suffer from mild back pain

​Hyderabad: The new academic season is underway but the solution to an old problem persists. Students are still burdened with heavy schoolbags. After lugging these heavy loads of books, most of the students have to sit on benches without back support for the entire day. This is taking a toll on schoolchildren.

When children keep carrying heavy loads it could alter the posture and bring changes in shoulder, neck, trunk and lower limb. Regular stress on spine leads to kyphosis – hunched back and scoliosis – spine bending sideways, which could be detrimental to the growth of the child, warn doctors.

Anjali Razdan, Principal, P Obul Reddy Public School, says, “Out of the eight periods at least three periods are dedicated to sports and other activities where there is no need for books. Proper planning is needed. Any good school time-table reflects three-periods which do not need books.”

However, in several Hyderabad schools, managements insist that students carry all the books. While the parents say that the students have no option but to carry the heavy load as teachers punish them if they fail to produce the books asked for.

However, Usha Reddy, CEO, Meridian Schools, told The Hans India that it is parents’ responsibility to see that the child is not carrying books that are not necessary for the day. Also schools need to pre-plan and make available cupboards in classes. The CBSE keeps sending circulars to reduce the burden of books but we do not see the state education department doing that.

A recent study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry found that 68 per cent of schoolchildren under the age of 13 years suffer from mild back pain, which could later develop into chronic pain.

Though there is the Children’s School Bag Act 2006, which says a school bag should not weigh more than 10 per cent of a child’s weight but children of Grade III, IV and V are seen carrying bags which are much heavier.

While the CBSE sends regular circulars to schools there have been no directives from the state education department to schools.

Dr Hima Bindu Singh, president, Indian Pediatric Association says, “We at Niloufer Hospital have been receiving a number of schoolgoing children who suffer from back and neck pain. This to a large extent can be attributed to two reasons- heavy bags and not having proper back support while sitting in school.”

Pediatricians in Hyderabad say that 5 per cent to 10 per cent of children that go to them complain of back pain. Some states in India took measures to reduce the burden of heavy schoolbags by setting up locker facilities in school, there has been no initiative from the state government on these lines.

Chava Ravi, general secretary, Telangana State United Teachers’ Federation says, “Sadly, parents associations barring a few are engrossed in fee hike issue. If nothing is done, it could affect the health of the students in the long run.”