Lifelong effects of heavy bags
The issue of heavy school bags had an effect on me, too (“Dangers of carrying heavy school bags”, Gulf News, August 17). All through my student life, I carried heavy school bags and now, later on in my life, I have issues with my neck and shoulders, which have not been resolved even after physiotherapy. The doctors have reasoned the chronic pain to be because of the heavy school bag, which has resulted in inflammation of the shoulder muscles and weakening of the neck bone. This issue has lead to a life of constant pain, which at times worsens and affects my daily life to a great extent. I would request the authorities to kindly look into this matter as a priority and let the students have a healthy and pain-free future.
From Ms Charlotte
Dubai
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Turn to technology
These days, a lot of holiday homework is assigned to children by way of downloading an app on their tablet and then emailing the assignment to the class teacher. If it can be done for holiday homework, why not for regular school work? It will be a lot easier for all. Schools could be turned into smart schools simply by putting everything online, including teachers’ notes and study materials. Doubts can be cleared in school and the child can just carry a notepad to write that down, or even better still there can be a notepad app inserted for each chapter where the child can note down all the things taught in school that he or she can even download in case it is missed. The entire thing is very simple if executed well. I know of schools in Africa that get CDs as their course materials and they have to study it at home. The child just logs in to the server via an app and downloads all the material for studying.
From Mr Ameet Mudnaney
Dubai
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Unable to carry bags
I am a father of two sons studying in a school in Dubai. They face the same issue of heavy bags. My sons are aged eight and nine years and are unable to carry their school bags due to its weight. I am worried about their health. The Ministry of Education should take measures on this immediately.
From Mr Aamir
Dubai
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Tough to climb stairs
This is a common problem for every child studying here. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) needs to look at this issue and advice or implement a rule for schools to provide lockers or shelves for each child where they can store books safely. Imagine these young children having to carry heavy bags, sometimes weighing 10 kilograms, up the stairs to the second floor. This is something my children go through every day in a Dubai school. I hope and request the authorities to look into this matter seriously and resolve it on an urgent basis.
From Mr Mohammad Faisal
Dubai
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Allow them to take trolley bags
I really support this topic. My daughter is only in Grade 1 and the amount of books that she carries is pitiful. I let the house helper carry the bag for her to the bus while going to school and the same when coming back. The justification given to stop children from carrying trolley bags, that they are noisy, doesn’t make any sense. Students most likely leave their classrooms all together, so even if they make noise it is not bothering anyone. Also, I am sure that the classes are separated, as in higher grades that stay late are not on the same floor as the younger grades that leave early. I remember when the end of the term or year arrived, children would bring all their books home. This meant around 30 books per child, which even the bag wouldn’t be able to fit and so we were forced to bring them in batches. The education authorities should consider the situation and allow children to carry trolley bags in all schools. Another solution can be introducing lockers or desks with shelves, similar to the ones I had as a student, so that children don’t have to carry all the books to and fro every day.
From Ms Khadija Ali
Abu Dhabi
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Store books at school
Students should be allowed to leave some books at school. They should have personal desks or shelves for each student. I remember in my school there were writing desks with a small compartment to keep our books. They could consider getting those in all schools.
From Ms Arshiya Qureshi
UAE
Facebook comment
Leave the books behind
When I was younger, the school bags were very heavy as well. We used to have three different types of books for just English. I think the simplest solution to this issue is that books should be left behind at school and students should only carry the books that they need for the day. I don’t think tablets are the solution. The new generation is really smart with technology. Even a one-year-old knows how to use a tablet. So, most children might just end up playing with it at school instead of studying. It would work as a distraction.
From Ms Duaa Shaikh
UAE
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Tablets will affect eyesight
I agree with the Gulf News reader Duaa Shaikh. Books should be at home for the children to read before going to school. They must learn how to read in advance. Tablets are not a good option, especially for preschoolers. Their attention will be on the games and it may affect their eyesight, too.
From Ms Marjorie Channelle Esperanza Miguel
UAE
Facebook comment
Trust them to be accountable
You are already not trusting students’ ability to do the right thing at the right time. We have rules for tablet usage at our school. We use tablets in our classrooms a lot. I don’t like being a helicopter teacher, hovering over students. I trust them to be accountable for their actions.
From Ms Mona Salim
UAE
Facebook comment
Same issue as myself
I have been suffering from cervical pain since my school days. Now I have two children, who are facing the same issue and pain. What do we do?
From Ms Nandini Goyal
India
Facebook comment
Good form of exercise
I think carrying the bags is a good form of exercise for children. They should carry their own bags.
From Mr Rod West
UAE
Facebook comment
Are they carrying stones?
In our times, the bags were not heavy. The books we carried depended on a set schedule. But, I have noticed with my niece that her bag is so heavy! Instead of books, it seems like she is carrying heavy stones in it. Carrying the bag is so tough for her and she’s just in Grade 2.
From Ms Mel Rose
Sharjah
Memories of a heavy bag
I have completed my education here from kindergarten to university. I remember that I, too, had to carry a very heavy bag. Children are carrying several kilograms of weight on their back and have to walk in this summer heat. It is horrible!
From Mr Prince M Rashid
Dubai
Facebook comment
An extra load for parents
Please do not put such ideas in the minds of children. Parents are already worried about the high school fees. Those who can afford it will buy trolley bags for their children, but those who cannot do so will find it to be an extra load. When we were younger, we would use a cloth bag made by ourselves to carry our books. Now we are forced to buy trolley bags. This isn’t a good idea. The media is influential and they should post stories to inspire children to perform better at school, instead of such posts.
From Ms Sanamjan
Dubai
Facebook comment
Limited books only
I think this topic needs to be raised in international educational communities to be able to compare the weight of school bags. I think students should only carry one notebook and just the textbooks that are needed for that day. Tablets should be allowed, too.
From Mr Waqar Satti
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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