Only permitted books and stationery allowed in school bags

The Primary Education Department has issued a directive to ensure that students only carry government-approved books and materials in their school bags.

A letter issued by the department has relayed the instructions to the director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the divisional deputy director of the eight primary education divisions, district, Upazila and Thana education officials and the superintendents of the Primary Teachers Training Institute.

“The primary school-level books approved by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board should not cause any problems for the students,” it read.

“It is recommended that everyone be alert and ensure no student carries a book bag that exceeds 10 percent of the student’s weight, in line with the High Court decision.”

“Students must be discouraged from bringing anything other than the approved textbooks and materials in their bags to avoid back pains and problems standing upright.”

Teachers, directors of schools and guardians have been asked to make sure students do not carry excess weight.

In 2016, the High Court banned primary school students from carrying any bags that exceeded 10 percent of their weight and ordered a law to be enacted on the matter.

The court had also ordered a circular with the instructions be issued to all Bangla and English medium schools within 30 days.