The High Court yesterday asked the government to explain why it will not be directed to enact a law, guideline or a set of rules fixing the maximum weight of a kid’s schoolbag.
The HC bench of Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Ashraful Kamal asked the law secretary, education secretary, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education and the National Human Rights Commission to respond within two weeks.
On Sunday, Supreme Court lawyers Masud Hossain Dolon, Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Anwarul Karim filed a writ petition seeking directives on the government in this regard.
The respondents will have to explain two specific things: first, why pre-primary schoolgoers should not be legally bound to not carry any bags; and second, why a law or guideline should not prevent primary students from not carrying bags that weigh more than 10% of their weights.
Dolon himself stood for the petitioners while Deputy Attorney General Motahar Hossain argued for the state during yesterday’s hearing.
Following the court order, Dolon told reporters that in several countries, including neighbouring India, there are specific laws mentioning how much weight can be carried in schoolbags.
It is harmful for pre-primary students to carry any weight on their backs and health issues may arise if primary students carry more than 10% of their body weight.
“So, we filed the writ in public interest, seeking the High Court’s directives,” he said.
