Even NEP fails to reduce school bag weight in city

 

 

Despite private CBSE schools in Bhopal have adopted National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 based education but it could not reduce the burden of school bag for the children. While, parents complained that NEP based education has increased the bag weight as teachers are seeking activity material every in school along with the regular books and copies. The new policy supports activity-based education to the primary class instead of focusing on written work in copy. NEP says to give practical education to the primary students and let them develop their creativity rather than mugging up chapters. It allows students to focus on books and understand the topics instead of learning long answer and questions. However in contrary to this, private CBSE schools are adopting the new education policy along with the traditional way.

 

Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Sister Joicy, Principal Carmel Convent Sr Secondary School, BHEL, says, “We have started NEP-based education to our students in all classes. In primary wing we are focusing on activity after each chapter. Children are being involved in many creative work, art, games and mind development exercise.” Anupama Tiwari, parent of a class III student at private missionary school says, “Yes this year school is giving more activities to the children but they are of no use because all activities are being given as home-work and parents complete the task. My daughter has not done a single activity herself while I have helped her in everything. Besides, school is also giving lengthy writing work in copies and they are asked to learn the chapter from book as well as copy in exams. Now our children are carrying traditional copy, books and activity material in school which has increased the bag weight.” She further said, this has increased the burden of parents as they remain busy in completing the activity like cutting pictures, pasting it and taking out print out from shops. She said that if school is enrolling students in activity, it should be done in school and bag weight should be reduced. “Our children are carrying copies and books for eight period everyday along with activity stuff,” added Anupama Tiwari.

 

This is not only being done in a school while other private CBSE schools in city are doing the same. Another parent of a CBSE school says, “We have been given option to choose particular activity for kids like Karate, Public Speaking, dance, music, games, skating, etc. For this class our primary children are carrying extra weight of activity stuff like Karate uniform, skating kit, musical instrument, etc along with the eight period copy and books.”