Gujarat Launches ‘Bagless Day’ In Schools, But Many Fail To Comply On Day One

Ahmedabad: In an effort to lighten the load on young learners and embrace the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Gujarat government rolled out its ‘Bagless Day’ initiative today across primary schools. The concept, intended to replace traditional academics with experiential learning every Saturday, seeks to foster creativity and reduce the physical strain of heavy school bags. But despite the much-publicized launch, the ground reality in Ahmedabad painted a mixed picture.

Students were spotted arriving with school bags in several institutions across the city, including both government and private schools. From Kendriya Vidyalaya in Shahibaug to Rajasthan School and Swaminarayan Gurukul, many schools continued with business as usual. Even municipal and CBSE-affiliated schools under government control didn’t uniformly implement the policy.

Rosary School and AMC’s Saraswati Mandir School in Shahibaug also saw students turning up with bags, some filled with notebooks, others with activity supplies, hinting at possible confusion or inconsistent communication.

The lack of full compliance may stem from unclear or delayed instructions. Many school administrators suggested they had not received formal or detailed directives from the Ahmedabad District Education Office (DEO) regarding the immediate start of the bagless policy. Attempts to reach Ahmedabad DEO Rohit Chaudhary for comment were unsuccessful.

Not all schools faltered. AES-AG School stood out as a model for successful implementation. Students from Classes 3 to 5 engaged in fun, educational activities such as a mass drill, tree planting, a science fair, and movie screenings. Older students (Classes 6 to 8) participated in yoga sessions, aligning well with the day’s intended focus on holistic development.

Health experts have long warned about the dangers of lugging around heavy school bags, citing increased risks of back pain, posture issues, and long-term spinal damage. The ‘Bagless Day’ initiative is an attempt to counter these risks while promoting hands-on learning and stress-free Saturdays for students in Classes 1 through 8. Whether the state can ensure smoother implementation in the coming weeks remains to be seen.

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