Education Ministry implement proactive measures to resolve student's heavy backpack dilemma

SHAH ALAM - The Education Ministry (MoE) have come up with several methods to resolve the issue of heavy bags for school children.

Senior Education Minister Datuk Radzi Jidin said the ministry has come up with these methods after conducting extensive research based on feedback by various stakeholders and found that the issue is very critical among primary school students, especially Level 1 students, namely Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3.

Among the main approaches to tackle the issue are the use of schools lockers which the MoE will provide in primary school in stages, as well as rearranging the timetable by including three to four subjects in a day based on the suitable approach and implementation.

Radzi also stated that students should not exceed with carrying two books for each subject at one time and every exercise book shall not exceed 80 pages.

Apart from that, the students are only allowed to use the activity book provided by the MoE while other workbooks can only be used as a reference outside of the official schooling hour

“The use of digital textbooks will also be established by MoE to tackle the issue with over 692 digital textbooks have been uploaded in the Digital Educational Learning platform Malaysia Initiative (DELIMa) and those who have the device can access digital textbooks through the DELIMa platform.

“In this context, the teachers are also encouraged to use a centralized Teaching and Learning (PdP) approach such as thematic learning, modular, learning project-based, practical simulation (virtual lab) to reduce the use of textbook which can help to reduce the weight of the school bag as well as establishing a fun environment for the students,” said Radzi in a written parliamentary answer to a question raised by Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhil Shaari on the MoE's measure to tackle the issue, today.

Radzi also stated that they will be working closely with the Islamic Development Malaysia department (Jakim) to standardize the use of school uniforms so that students are given the flexibility to wear their respective school uniforms during the KAFA school session.