The expert committee recommendations on the weight of school bags released in the MHRD order No. 1-4/2018-IS-3 dated 24 November 2020 as follows…
Reduction of School Bag Weight: This table provides a suggested range for the ratio of school bag weight to body weight, set at 10% of the child’s body weight, organized by class. It is recommended that schools collaborate with staff, parents, local physicians, counselors, and psychologists to create a similar table tailored to the unique considerations of weight, gender, and disabilities of the students. This initiative is based on findings from various studies. The finalized table should be prominently displayed on the school’s notice board and in every classroom.
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Minimum School Bag Weight is 1.6 kg and Maximum School Bag Weight is 5 kg
| S. No. | Class | Average Body Weight Range (in Kg) | Bag Weight Range (Recommended) | ||
| 1. | Pre-primary | 10 | 16 | No bag | |
| 2. | Class I | 16 | 22 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
| 3. | Class II | 16 | 22 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
| 4. | Class III | 17 | 25 | 1-7 | 2.5 |
| 5. | Class IV | 17 | 25 | 1-7 | 2.5 |
| 6. | Class V | 17 | 25 | 1-7 | 2.5 |
| 7. | Class VI | 20 | 30 | 2 | 3 |
| 8. | Class VII | 20 | 30 | 2 | 3 |
| 9. | Class VIII | 25 | 40 | 2.5 | 4 |
| 10. | Class IX | 25 | 45 | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| 11. | Class X | 25 | 45 | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| 12. | Class XI | 35 | 50 | 3.5 | 5 |
| 13. | Class XII | 35 | 50 | 3.5 | 5 |
Are the school bags really heavy?
(i) In the survey, 48.8 per cent school heads said that they weigh the school bag of their children. Out of this, 19 per cent of school heads found from the weight of school bag for primary classes
(I-V) that the bags are heavy. It is generally found varying from 2 to 3.5 Kg, but two school heads said that it is varying from 3 to 5 Kg.
This means, children are carrying bags of weight 2 to 3 Kg more than the permissible weight i.e., 10 per cent of the body weight which is universally accepted. From Class VI, weight of the school bag further increases (from 3 to 6 Kg), which exceeds the internationally* accepted limit of 10 per cent of body weight. Items found contributing to excessive load were—
1. Textbooks- 500 gms to 3.5 Kg
2. Notebooks– 200 gms to 2.5 Kg
3. Lunch box 200 gms to 1 kg
4. Water bottle 200 gms to 1 Kg
The weight of the empty bag was also found to be varying from 150 gms to 1 Kg
Weight of Textbooks Developed by the NCERT (class wise)
The weight of textbooks produced by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) varies according to the class level. Below is a breakdown of the number of NCERT textbooks per class, total weight in grams, and the number of subjects available in either English or Hindi versions:
1. Preprimary: No textbooks are recommended.
2. Class I: 3 textbooks, 1078 grams, 3 subjects.
3. Class II: 3 textbooks, 1080 grams, 3 subjects.
4. Class III: 4 textbooks, 1572 grams, 4 subjects.
5. Class IV: 4 textbooks, 1804 grams, 4 subjects.
6. Class V: 4 textbooks, 1916 grams, 4 subjects.
7. Class VI: 10 textbooks, 3080 grams, 6 subjects.
8. Class VII: 10 textbooks, 3508 grams, 6 subjects.
9. Class VIII: 11 textbooks, 3640 grams, 6 subjects.
10. Class IX: 15 textbooks, 4400 grams, 6 subjects.
11. Class X: 13 textbooks, 4182 grams, 6 subjects.
Please note that for Classes XI and XII, the school or management may determine the weight based on the subjects offered in various streams at the school.