The heavy and unwieldy backpacks that thousands of students are required to carry each year is a concern for the Ministry of Education, which has issued a circular providing recommendations and guidelines to parents, students, and teachers on how to address this issue.
“Schools are urged to implement clear policies and practices to mitigate or even resolve the issue of school bag weight, taking into account the specific conditions and environment of each school, and to set aside time at regular intervals to review the policies and practices that have been adopted.”
Department of Elementary Education
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Directorate of Elementary Education has also issued corresponding recommendations to schools. Some of these include: a ban on combining workbooks, which increases the weight of the backpack; encouraging students to carry only the books and notebooks they need, as well as recommending that teachers ask students to leave books they do not need—such as dictionaries, anthologies, and grammar books, be left at school or at home.
Heavy and unwieldy backpacks pose serious risks and health consequences for children.
“The risks involved in these situations are mainly: straining the discs, causing spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, and hyperlordosis. These are issues that will certainly hinder children’s mobility and daily activities.”
Michalis Krasias – Orthopedic Specialist
He also emphasized that school backpacks should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of a child’s body weight.
“It’s a good idea to place the heaviest books toward the back of the backpack so they rest against the back. They should not carry unnecessary books and should adjust the straps.”
Michalis Krasias
In several European countries, efforts are being made to find solutions within the schools themselves so that children do not have to carry all their books and notebooks every day.
Watch the report by Eleni Michael:
