CBSE’s no-bag day fizzles out

Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 11

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had proposed a ‘bag-less’ day for students, of nursery to Class XI, to allow them to relax and rewind in order to perform better and gain hands-on experience in vocational training. The idea, however, has failed for it is not an order and thus, is not mandatory. School administrators are giving numerous other reasons for not initiating the ‘bag-less day’. The CBSE’s goal was that on such days, children should be taken on a tour, nature walk, or participate in activities, vocational training sessions to feel invigorated and relaxed.

Students and teachers are under immense pressure to complete the curriculum, bag-free days are not an option, and we do not have enough faculty to conduct vocational training during the day. — Harmeet Kaur Waraich, Principal, Nankana Sahib public school

Harmit Kaur Waraich, principal of Nankana Sahib Public School, acknowledged that the concept did not catch on. “A ‘bag-less day’ means that schools must engage students in one or more activities through the day, which is not viable for a variety of reasons. We can engage them in an activity for one or two periods, but not for six hours. Students and teachers are under immense pressure to complete the curriculum, bag-free days are not an option, and we do not have enough faculty to conduct vocational training during the day,” Waraich added.

No major school has decided on promoting the concept. Mona, a kindergarten teacher, stated that even if the schools wished, parents would not approve of it. For them, school was only about books, classes and homework, she added.

Dr Vandana Shahi, principal, BCM Dugri, stated that ‘bag-less day’ entailed delivering vocational training to pupils, particularly those from the middle class.

“Suppose we contact a potter and he displays how utensils or pots are made; this would pique the students’ interest. Alternatively, we can take them on a trip to the manufacturers to show them how garments are manufactured from scratch. However, while I agree the idea has fizzled out, we are trying to revive the concept during vacations. It will not be implemented in a summer camp-style, but rather as practical training programmes to increase pupils’ interest in a variety of areas,” she added.