KUCHING: Schoolbags that are too heavy are harmful to students, said Sarawak PAS commissioner and Miri PAS chief, Jofri Jaraiee.
In a press statement, Jofri said heavy bags containing various types of books, stationery, religious school uniforms, co-curricular uniforms, and food and beverage supplies can badly affect the health of students.
He said that nowadays schoolchildren are forced to climb stairs daily with heavy bags each weighing 10kg or more, five days a week.
“Although Malaysia is still researching the problem, overseas schools including those in India and Australia have long issued guidelines for teachers and parents to deal with the matter,” said Jofri.
He also noted that Singapore has set the weight of a schoolbag to not exceed 10 or 15 percent of the weight of the student carrying it. This rule is made to prevent injuries to school children.
“Changes to the running style and incorrect body posture will cause pain in the knee joints and abrasions to the thigh if children often walk while bending forward to support the weight on the back,” he said.
Jofri also pointed out that improper body posture to accommodate the weight of a school bag will put pressure on the spine and cause back pain.
He said that in today’s world of advanced science and technology, the government is supposed to be able to take a more advanced step by introducing the use of computers or laptops in school to reduce the use of textbooks.
He said the use of exercise books can also be reduced by using
computers.
“However, writing exercises using pencils or pens is still needed so that students would not become awkward when they are required to write on paper.
“Perhaps the use of computers in Malaysian schools is still minimal but maybe for the long term the government needs to plan so that the burden borne by schoolchildren can be reduced. The education system also needs to be reviewed to match current development.
“Maybe this is the best way of not only reducing the weight of schoolbags. It would also make children happy to go to school,” Jofri said.
PAS urged the Education Ministry, educators and parents to play their repective roles to lighten school bags in the best possible way.
