In its circular dated 13 August 2018, the Central Board of Secondary Education recapitulated its similar circular issued in April which stated that all affiliated schools must reduce the weight of school bags and homework load on children. It had also clearly stated that the circular should be followed honestly.
However, months after the circular was issued, parents have alleged that CBSE affiliated schools are not following the circulated norms. They have alleged that their children continue to bear the burden of heavy school bags and mounting homework.
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Speaking about the issue, the President of India Wide Parents Association Anubha Sahai said, “Not just from Maharashtra, but parents from other states have also complained about the issue and are now fed up. The CBSE must act against these schools.”
One of the parent also alleged that CBSE-affiliated schools are still prescribing books by private publishers. These books by private publishers are not only heavy but are also expensive. She also said that the schools tried to implement the norms but failed in sustaining the efforts.
What did the circular state?
According to the official order, schools can not assign homework to students of class 1 annd 2. "Schools should not prescribe any other subjects except language, EVS and Mathematics for class III to V students as prescribed by the NCERT." The schools were also directed to not ask the students to bring additional books. Also, the weight of the bags of students upto 10th was also capped as follows:
Class I and II: not exceeding 1.5 kg
Class III to V: 2-3 kg
Class VI and VII: not exceeding 4 kg
Class VIII and IX: not exceeding 4.5 kg
Class X: not exceeding 5 kg