State to soon implement ‘No Bag Day' in primary schools
Under this new initiative, students will be relieved from carrying school bags to school on a particular day of the week. Instead, the day will focus on engaging children in vocational and skill-based activities, offering them a refreshing break from routine classroom teaching.
School education and literacy minister Ramdas Soren recently said that the department is soon going to roll out the programme for students of Class 1 to 8, in an attempt to encourage their physical and psychological well-being.
Speaking on the development of the programme implementation, state project director of the department, Shashi Ranjan, told TOI that while upper-primary level students, from Classes 6 to 8, currently observe ten 'No Bag Days' annually, the programme will now be extended to students at the primary level as well.
"National Education Policy, 2020 mandates to introduce students to skill and vocational training. Students in the upper-primary level are already getting a 10-day relief from bringing bags to schools.
On those days, schools invite local artisans to teach students art and crafts or take them on tours to prominent places near schools and do various other activities. Likewise, planning is ongoing to roll out the programme at the primary level as well, to promote activity-based education among students," said the state project director.
He added that the programme currently is in the planning stage, and the department is formulating directions for the schools on activities to be done on bagless days. "Before implementing the programme, we first have to streamline all aspects for smooth functioning. To promote physical activities among students, the department has formulated a detailed teacher guidance book with class and age-appropriate day-to-day activities for the students," Ranjan said.
The department is yet to finalise the day to observe the programme. However, an official, on condition of anonymity, said that the department might roll out the programme from next week.
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