HC for fixing weight limit of schoolbags

The High Court today asked the government to explain in two weeks as to why it should not be directed to formulate a specific law or regulation prohibiting use of school bag more than 10 percent of a child’s weight and use of bag for pre-primary students.

The rule came following a writ petition collectively filed by three Supreme Court lawyers seeking directive from the HC on the government to formulate a law or rule or policy prohibiting use of school bag weighing more than 10 percent of a child’s weight and restricting use of bag for pre-primary students.

The law and education secretaries, director general of primary education directorate, and chairman of the national human rights commission have been made respondents to the rule.

SM Masud Dolon, one of the petitioners, told The Daily Star that the students have to bear the burden of heavy bags since their schools compel them to carry many books, papers and instruments to classes.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came up with the rule after hearing the writ petition filed by lawyers Masud Dolon, Ziaur Rahman and Anarul Karim on August 9.