In a significant move to ease the burden on young learners, the Rajasthan School Education Department has unveiled a new plan to drastically reduce the weight of school bags. The initiative, announced on Saturday, will introduce a two-stage distribution system for textbooks for students in classes 1 to 5, starting from the 2026–27 academic session.
A Step Towards Lighter Loads and Healthier Students
School Education Secretary Krishna Kunal explained the rationale behind the decision. He stated that the primary goal is to ensure children carry only the essential books they need on a given day. This strategic distribution is projected to cut the weight of school bags by nearly 50%. Officials believe this substantial reduction will have a direct positive impact on children's physical health and their overall capacity to learn effectively, making schooling a less strenuous experience.
The Roadmap: From Two-Stage to Quarterly Distribution
The department has laid out a clear, phased approach to achieving its goal. The first phase, the two-stage distribution model, will be implemented from the 2026–27 session. Building on this, the department plans to transition to an even more refined system from the 2027–28 session onwards—a quarterly distribution of textbooks.
Secretary Kunal elaborated on the future plan, indicating that once the quarterly system is fully operational, the overall load of school bags is expected to decrease further. He projected that students would eventually carry only about 25% of the weight they currently bear. This phased strategy allows schools and the system to adapt gradually to the new model.
Aligning with National Policy and Holistic Development
This landmark decision is firmly aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP strongly advocates for reducing unnecessary academic pressure on students and promoting a more holistic, inquiry-based, and child-centred approach to education. By physically lightening the load children carry, the state government aims to make learning more engaging and enjoyable.
Officials expressed confidence that lighter school bags will lead to multiple benefits, including encouraging regular school attendance, increasing students' interest in learning, and alleviating concerns parents have about their children's well-being. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the state government, which includes infrastructure upgrades, promoting digital and ICT-based teaching methods, boosting enrolment rates, reducing dropout numbers, and strengthening inclusive education frameworks across Rajasthan.
