Manama: Bahrain’s education minister has set up a committee to look into ways to reduce the weight of the bags that pupils carry to school.
Several parents have complained that the excessive weight was hurting the frail bodies of their children, especially in elementary schools.
“The minister wants the committee to assess the possibility to replace books with ebooks,” a statement from the ministry said. “The reduction of the bag weight will help students and will promote the use of technology in line with the school of the future programme,” Majed Al Nuaimi said.
Local studies have revealed that school bags could be a threat to the physical conditions of students, mainly those in the elementary stage of their schooling.
“All the items that can be eliminated or replaced should be identified and the appropriate action should be taken to ensure lighter weight for the students.”
Most pupils are driven to schools in buses or in cars, but they have to carry the bags when they move around in the school.
The committee is made up of representatives from the technical education, the curricula, the schools of the future programme, learning resources, IT systems, planning and public relations, the statement said.
Pupils start formal education at the age of six in the country’s government or private schools.
Under public education rules, pupils graduate after passing six years in elementary school, three years in middle school and three years in high school.