Class X student raises the issue of heavy school bags; government considers relief

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly has taken up a Class X student’s petition seeking a reduction in school bag weight, marking the first time a student’s petition has been considered by the House. Education Minister N. Shamsudheen assured the Assembly that the government would take steps to address the issue. The petition was submitted by Kaipamangalam MLA K. K. Valsaraj on behalf of M. Mumtaseer, a student leader at Eriyad Government Kerala Varma Higher Secondary School in the Kodungallur sub-district of Thrissur. Mumtaseer used a mechanism introduced for the first time to enable petitions on matters of public importance to be submitted to the Assembly through legislators. However, legislators are not permitted to speak on such petitions or initiate a discussion on them in the House.

Mumtaseer’s petition highlighted the physical and psychological problems students face because of excessively heavy school bags. It was submitted under Rule 113 of the Assembly’s rules, which deals with matters of public importance. The petition has been referred to the Assembly’s Petitions Committee for further examination and inquiry. The committee will submit its report to the Assembly, following which possible action can be taken on the petition. Kerala Kaumudi had reported on the matter on the 14th.

Final decision at high-level meeting

Education Minister N. Shamsudheen told the Assembly that Mumtaseer’s petition concerned a matter of public interest and that the government would consider measures to reduce the excessive weight of school bags. The proposals under consideration include printing textbooks in monthly or half-yearly instalments and using lighter paper for textbook production. A high-level meeting has been scheduled for the 24th of next month to take a final decision on the measures to be adopted to reduce school bag weight.