<p>The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked schools not to assign homework to Class I and II students and to also set them free from the burden of carrying backpacks.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In a latest circular to all affiliated schools, the board emphasised that textbooks for Class I to Class VIII should be “light weighted.” It asked the schools not to prescribe “too many additional and supplementary textbooks which are at times voluminous, costly and designed in a pedagogically unsound manner.”<br /><br />It also sought the school principals to “counsel” their teachers so that they do not give “unambiguous instructions” to students on bringing textbooks. Teachers should also do not penalise children “in any way” for not bringing textbooks or workbooks, the board added. “The fear of such measures may compel many students to bring most of the books or workbooks making their bags heavy. Heavier school bags are known to have adverse effects on health of growing children and if such bags are used for a prolonged period, the impact may well be irreversible,” the board noted.<br /><br />The CBSE sought the schools to design weekly timetable in such a manner that minimum number of textbooks and workbooks are required in classes each day.<br /><br />Need for extra care<br />“Textbooks and workbooks may not be hard bound. Schools may take extra care to preclude the possibility of carrying large number of books, workbooks, atlas, drawing board and other articles by students. Students should not carry extra pair of sportswear throughout the day. Rather wear it for the entire day,” CBSE director of academics K K Choudhary said.<br /><br />“The timetable could have separate provision for students to complete their assignments and projects during the school hours under direct supervision of the teachers,” he added.<br /><br />The board noted that all tasks related to projects and activities could be done as group activities during school hours, asking the schools to refrain from prescribing such activities as “homework.”<br /><br />Also, Choudhary sought the schools to ensure availability of adequate supply of potable and safe drinking water in schools and ask students not to bring their “heavy water bottles.”<br /><br />“Teachers should use loose sheets for workbooks in their classes to reduce the weight of students’ school bag. Make pairs of children in classes for sharing textbooks. One student in a pair may be asked to bring half of the textbooks required for the day, while the remaining textbooks can be brought by the other,” it added.<br /><br /> </p>
<p>The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked schools not to assign homework to Class I and II students and to also set them free from the burden of carrying backpacks.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In a latest circular to all affiliated schools, the board emphasised that textbooks for Class I to Class VIII should be “light weighted.” It asked the schools not to prescribe “too many additional and supplementary textbooks which are at times voluminous, costly and designed in a pedagogically unsound manner.”<br /><br />It also sought the school principals to “counsel” their teachers so that they do not give “unambiguous instructions” to students on bringing textbooks. Teachers should also do not penalise children “in any way” for not bringing textbooks or workbooks, the board added. “The fear of such measures may compel many students to bring most of the books or workbooks making their bags heavy. Heavier school bags are known to have adverse effects on health of growing children and if such bags are used for a prolonged period, the impact may well be irreversible,” the board noted.<br /><br />The CBSE sought the schools to design weekly timetable in such a manner that minimum number of textbooks and workbooks are required in classes each day.<br /><br />Need for extra care<br />“Textbooks and workbooks may not be hard bound. Schools may take extra care to preclude the possibility of carrying large number of books, workbooks, atlas, drawing board and other articles by students. Students should not carry extra pair of sportswear throughout the day. Rather wear it for the entire day,” CBSE director of academics K K Choudhary said.<br /><br />“The timetable could have separate provision for students to complete their assignments and projects during the school hours under direct supervision of the teachers,” he added.<br /><br />The board noted that all tasks related to projects and activities could be done as group activities during school hours, asking the schools to refrain from prescribing such activities as “homework.”<br /><br />Also, Choudhary sought the schools to ensure availability of adequate supply of potable and safe drinking water in schools and ask students not to bring their “heavy water bottles.”<br /><br />“Teachers should use loose sheets for workbooks in their classes to reduce the weight of students’ school bag. Make pairs of children in classes for sharing textbooks. One student in a pair may be asked to bring half of the textbooks required for the day, while the remaining textbooks can be brought by the other,” it added.<br /><br /> </p>
