Everyday on the school road, the young and innocent, face a constant battle of managing ridiculous weights on their tiny shoulders. It’s a staggering walk with a hunched back to the school gate from the car/bus/rikshaw. In one hand they have water bottle, lunch box, in the other some chart paper or project. While on shoulders they carry a bag that is at least 30 to 40 percent of their own bodyweight. There is no smile on their faces as this heavy bag is causing a lot of pain. Amidst this the principal/coordinator walks out of the car right in front of the school gate managing their designer attire. Heshe remains oblivious of the tiny creatures hardly managing to walk due to heavy school bag.
It is the daily scene outside a very well known private school in Lahore. But it’s not a co incidence that most of the schools have the same scene…The hunched kids carrying insanely heavy school bags with walking with tiny steps as if about to trip over any time, going to school minus any smile on their face! The only answer the school administration lady gave on this issue was “Most of the schools have the same heavy bags, so we are not the only one.”
Deep shadows of ignorance right under the nose of education, this logic left me speechless and frustrated. Despite education we are unable to come out of mind blocks. Since my school days back in 90s till now the same pattern of useless number of copies is prevailing. List goes like English grammar, homework, class work, hand writing, literature, creative writing and comprehension same order for Urdu and so on. One subject has 5 copies whereas one or two copies are sufficient if it is divided in partitions for different purpose.
Ironically this load of books is not adding to subject in depth knowledge. The concepts of children on linguistics, grammar and mental maths is poorer than ever. The extra tuitions and academies are aiding kids in bringing the grades but the core knowledge n grip of subject is missing.
Dr.Azhar Paedtriatric resident medical officer in Children hospital shared his views on this grave n totally ignored issue ” Heavy school bags are one of the main reason of short strature, back pain and mascular pains, which nowaday’s children are having at an increasing ratio. The dilemma is that worker children are not considered part of our society from our educated class. Otherwise a study would have been a study conducted on the effects of heavy weights on overall health of a child.”It is therefore a sad reality.
Dr. Madiha Rao (national hospital) mother of two herself pointed out that “Carrying a heavy school bag can cause back ache, neck pain and reffered headache, it is quite increasing in kids .” she further added that ” carrying heavy bags cause a change in posture called scoliosis and kyphosis, in simple terms hunch back or round necks. This excess weight has caused stunted growth. It stresses bone growing centers and cause short height n strature. It causes arthritis in joints and postural deformities. That’s why weight lifting is not recommended before 18 years of age”.
Medically its recommended that a child should not carry more than 10 percent of his weight, but the general school bag weight is much more than it.
Sadia mother of a nine year girl complained that she notices her daughter can not walk properly due to the heavy weight bag.Amna bilal mother of a fourth grader pointed out a very important issue, she said “As per time table bag setting is a futile exercise as teachers asks them to bring all copies and gives work other than time table.” What is the use of timetable? she asked.
Huma mother of two school going children told that her daughter always complain about acute pain in shoulder. Parents make countless complains to school administration. But unfortunately neither they empathize nor realize. Their insensitivity on this issue is due to the absence of any check and balance system. In the mushroom industry of private schools government has not yet defined any student welfare law and regulation.
It just added to my utmost anguish that ten year old Aimen is unable to attend school since two just because of horrible pain in shoulders and knees. If you think that trolley bag is the solution then its time for a reality check. . Inside the school children regardless of their age are suppose to carry their trolley bags on their shoulder and climb stairs up till 3rd, 4th or whatever floor there class is. Children often trip over during this and get seriously hurt. Which the school administration never admits as their own fault. According to experts internationally the school going children’s parents should ensure
1. The bag should be a bag pack with padded shoulders straps. Focus on buying a light bag than a fancy bag.
2. Teach children to avoid bending while picking up bag. Better is to sit n then put it on shoulders.
3. Take it off shoulders while waiting.
4. Avoid extra stuff on regular basis.
5. Keep a watch on posture.
6. Stretching exercise is very important if they complain pain. Don’t underestimate a child’s complain.
Its high time that there should be official instructions on this serious issue. Schools should be penalized and fined on this negligence. A long list of books are issued by schools and some of them remain totally untouched at the end of term. This commercial education is budding at the cost of children wellbeing. Parents don’t feel shy from voicing your children complain, ask your children to talk about it with their teacher.
Realisation is the first step of solving the problem. “if I had an hour to solve a problem. I would spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” Albert Einstein.
Nabiha Shahram is a children’s right activist and a former educationist