The average weight of the school bag of a grade IX Indian pupil in the UAE is nearly 10kg, while Indian curriculum students in Grade II carry books weighing more than 4kg everyday to school.
Now a school in Dubai is trying to alleviate the burden of children by bringing in a few timetable changes for the new academic year. Our Own English High School in Dubai and Al Warqa'a has consciously introduced a 'block period' system, whereby each subject would be taught in two consecutive periods everyday. Hence, pupils would have to carry only four to five books instead of nine books.
'It is on our school's wish list to reduce the load on children. We have brought in the double period system as a conscious new approach to bring down their burden. This is one of our strategies,' says Shobhana Verghese, executive principal of OOEHS, Dubai.
' In the beginning of an academic year, students usually end up carrying all books and it is mentally stressful for them. This block period system will certainly ease the pressure because they will need to bring in less number of subject books,' Verghese added.
Parents of the school's students welcomed the decision, but at the same time were sceptic if the move would really help.
'It is a good move definitely. My daughter carries 8-9kg of books everyday. Even though she takes the schoolbus, she has to carry the bag on her shoulders to the bus and to the classroom. I hope this block system will help reduce the burden. I wouldn't say it is the most effective approach but the school is making a genuine effort,' said a parent.
'We would have to wait and see if the school sticks to the approach. Some teachers ask the kids to carry textbooks even if they don't have an allotted period, hoping to cram lessons if a subject teacher doesn't turn up. This way kids end up carrying all books,' said another parent.
Pupils of other Indian schools, who face similar problems, say that they are weighed down by the physical burden of education, besides the mental stress. They say lockers, as in international schools, could provide a lot of relief, especially to their weathered backs.
'I wish I don't have to carry 6kg of books to school everyday. They should keep a locker system so that we can keep books there. I walk to school everyday and carrying my school bag gives me back pain. The trek to school and home with my bag also makes me very tired,' says Priyadarshini, a grade VII student of a school.
School heads say individual lockers are difficult due to space constraints. Rashmi Nandkeolyar, principal of Delhi Private School, Dubai, says, 'Classrooms will have to be much larger and we need lots of space. The system is challenging and many in the senior classes want to take their books back home to study. However, for the junior sections, we do keep their books in class.'
In India, booksellers are now binding lessons of each term together. However, schools in the UAE haven't resorted to the practice yet.
Though trolley bags were in vogue for a short time earlier, schools advised students against bringing them due to fears that children might trip over their own bags.
Schools say they are alive to the concern of students and parents. 'For primary classes, we have given parents a list of books that are kept in the school so that the students don't have to carry them. However, all schools should address this concern as it is not medically good for the children to carry so much weight,' says Aziz Akhtar executive principal of Our Own Indian School, Dubai.
Dr Usama Taha, an orthopaedic surgeon in Zulekha Hospital, Dubai, said it is not advisable for children to carry heavy weights. 'The bones of a child are developing and it could be deformed if he/she carries heavy weight. Parents should ensure that children don't carry all books,' Dr Taha said.
He added that primary class children should carry not more than 3kg on an average, while 5kg is the maximum advised for children in higher classes.
'Schools should also have sport programmes like regular back exercises for children. Any back problems should be immediately checked as it is uncommon for kids to have back aches,' Dr Taha said.
By Preeti Kannan (Our staff reporter)