Lighter school bags finally? MoE to look into this

PUTRAJAYA - The Education Ministry (MOE) is looking into addressing the issue of heavy backpacks including looking into the total number of subjects being taught on a daily basis, said its minister Datuk Dr Radzi Md Jidin.

"Primary schools sometimes have up to seven subjects in a day but for schools that teach three or four subjects a day, we can see that the weight of the bag is lighter," he said.

According to Radzi, the MOE is now also taking into account the perspectives of teachers possibly complications they would face on the issue.

“We cannot simply issue orders to reduce it into three subjects a day and the matter is now being observed one by one,” he said in a press conference after the launch of Sekolahku Sejahtera here on Monday.

He said his department also held a discussion with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to allow the students to wear national school uniforms to religious schools.

“This will reduce the weight of the children’s bags,” he said.

Mohd Radzi also said the use of lockers for two session schools is also being discussed.

"If we take into account the total number of primary schools, the cost is huge," he said.

He said books can be placed at school, however, the students still need it to do revision at home but assured that MOE will come out with a solution as soon as possible.

"The ministry is creating a comprehensive framework and it will be completed as soon as possible," he said.