KHNAM to keep tab on weight of schoolbags

SHILLONG: The state youth wing of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) said most schools are not following the guidelines issued by the state government regarding the weight of school bags while notifying that they will conduct surprise checking to identify errant schools.
In a statement issued here, the president of KHNAM youth wing, Thomas Passah said they have spoken to parents who revealed that most schools have by-passed the guidelines notified by the Education Department on February 11.
KHNAM has urged the state government to ensure that the guidelines are strictly followed and at the same time called for punitive actions against the defaulters.
It may be mentioned that as per the notification issued by the Education Department, the weight of the school bags for students of classes I and II should not exceed 1.5 kg.
“For students of classes III to V, the weight should not exceed 3 kg and for students of classes VI to VII, the maximum weight should be 4 kg,” the notification said.
While the weight should not exceed 4.5 kg for the students of classes VIII to IX, the maximum weight a class X student should carry is 5 kg.
The notice also stated that schools should not assign homework to students except those recommended by MBOSE/ICSE/CBSE.
Moreover, schools should not assign any homework for students of classes I and II.