CBSE institutes claim they have reduced school bag weight

CBSE institutes said they have introduced tablets and lockers. Representational pic

Institutes that are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education slammed the Maharashtra government yesterday, for accusing them in the Bombay High Court, of not following a Government Resolution on reducing school bag weight.

The response came after Abhay Patki, the government pleader, informed the high court that CBSE institutes have totally ignored the GR.

Refuting the allegation, a Ryan International Group of Schools spokesperson, Neti Srinivasan said, "Our institute is very concerned about students and so, we have reduced the number of notebooks, introduced tablets and lockers and for this, we were highly appreciated by parents and students."

Some parents also said that CBSE schools have reduced school bags' weight. "I think the school where my kid studies is very concerned about students' health and has taken steps to reduce school bag weight. In fact, I was happy to get a message from the school about my kid's heavy bag," said Dolly Mehta, the parent of a student in Ryan school, Malad.

‘Not just schools' lookout'
School authorities under CBSE added that it is not their responsibility alone. "I think we have taken enough measures to reduce school bag weight, and only the institute is not responsible for this. Even parents should provide proper bags to their kids and see whether they are carrying unnecessary things in them," said Avnita Bir, principal of RN Podar School.

Speaking to mid-day, an activist, Swati Patil, who had filed a Public Interest Litigation on students carrying heavy school bags, said, "Instead of dragging CBSE institutes into the matter, the Maharashtra education department should look for a solution. I think CBSE institutes are taking adequate measures."

Govt pleader refuses to speak
Patki refused to speak to mid-day when asked on what basis the government informed HC that CBSE is not working to reduce school bags' weight.