School Bag Policy 2020 will reduce pressure and rote learning among students – Times of India

The Education Ministry recently released the School Bag Policy 2020 that lays down the guidelines on homework and weight of school bags for classes I to XII.

As per the new guidelines, school bags should not be more than 10% of the bodyweight of students across classes I to X and there should be no bags in pre-primary students. It recommends no homework up to class II and a maximum of two hours per week for classes III to V, one hour a day for classes VI to VIII and two hours a day for classes IX and above.

Reducing the homework time will impact the learning if the time is invested properly.

“There is a need to change the mind-set and perception of homework and competition. Homework should be designed considering the transforming pattern and basis of competitive examinations and entry examinations to colleges and universities,” says Madhu Singh, Billabong High International School, Mumbai.

Children should not be put under the pressure of copying from the textbook but should be given work that improves their aptitude, reasoning and intelligence, she adds.

“Completely relying on rote learning from books is not a prudent method to prepare students for higher classes. Homework reduction will also allow students to be better time managers, and provide them with an option to pursue a hobby or sport,” says Priyanka Barara, principal, Delhi International School.

On the government’s move to reduce the weight of bags, Singh says, “Learning among children has no correlation with the school bag. To enhance the creative skills of students, schools need to give more emphasis on ‘learning by doing’. They must work on building analytical skills and develop scientific acumen in the students. This will reduce dependence on textbook learning and will consequently reduce the reliance on bags.”

The policy will also require schools to introduce infrastructural changes as students will not be able to carry many books daily.

“The schools need to provide lockers right from preschool to senior secondary to enable children to leave books in school and carry home only what is required. In the long run, we also see the possibility of integration of ‘revision/ self-study’ as a period in the timetable so that 70% of the homework can be completed in school with the assistance of teachers,” says Rashmi Singh, principal, EuroSchool, Chimney Hills, Bangalore.