Health experts caution against overloaded schoolbags

Say children carrying overloaded bags are prone to strain in spine and disc dehydration

School students trying to get into a bus with their heavy schoolbags at Goripalayam. Photo: S. James

School students carrying overloaded bags is a common sight in the city. But there is a lurking threat under these bags. Health experts warn that children carrying overloaded bags are prone to strain in spine and disc dehydration.

“In children aged between six and 13 years, there may not be a balanced growth of bone and muscle. Therefore, they will already experience mounting pain, which will be aggravated when they carry heavy bags,” says R. Sivakumar, Professor of Orthopedics in Madurai Medical College.

According to him, weakening of a portion of the spine, disc dehydration, muscle soreness and collapse in lower back are a few health issues students will face due to carrying weighty schoolbags.

“Every day, at least one per cent of patients we get are school students, who complain of back pain. They are generally between the age of 13 and 14 years,” Dr. Sivakumar says.

Monitoring weight

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed schools to monitor weight of students’ schoolbags and ensure that they are not heavy.

“The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan issued a circular in 2009 prescribing the maximum weight of schoolbags for students in different classes. The schools were instructed to conduct random inspections to weigh schoolbags and make sure that the circular is adhered to,” says C. Muthiah, Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Narimedu.

“We conduct periodic inspections. Higher secondary students do not carry heavy bags. But most of the students in classes IV to VII carry all their books to school, despite our instructions,” he adds.

As per the circular, students of classes I and II should not carry bags that weigh more than two kg; students of classes III and IV should carry bags weighing only three kg; for those in classes V to VII the weight should not exceed four kg and for those from classes VIII to XII the bags should weigh less than six kg.

Salai Selvam, an educationist, says students of government schools seldom carry heavy bags. “The term-wise books introduced under the uniform syllabus have reduced bag weight considerably. However, it is only and indirect measure to reduce the weight,” she adds.

“It will be good if the Department of School Education issues a circular similar to that of the CBSE. However, it again depends on how effectively the schools comply with it,” she feels.