Have you ever seen a kid going to school these days? Their bags seem to be bigger and heavier than their bodies. While schools try their level best to prepare young minds for the tough and competitive world that awaits them, yet, kids often end up feeling more burdened than prepared.?
In a groundbreaking move, HC has now realised the fundamental and basic human rights of children and has garnered full support in their favour.?
The Madras high court has said while directing the Centre to ensure that private CBSE schools follow only NCERT prescribed syllabus, to give homework to children up to Class II.
Observing that children aren¡¯t weight-lifters, and school bags aren¡¯t loaded containers, Justice N Kirubakaran said, ¡°Children should not be overburdened with many subjects; they are entitled to minimum sleeping hours as per their age which is a fundamental right as per Article 21 of the Constitution. Deprivation of required sleep would affect children mentally and physically, causing adverse effects, and they should not be allowed/made to hold pencils till they become five years old.¡±
Children are also entitled to a conducive learning environment, to study without stress or trauma. Homework was given to Class I and Class II students would put pressure on them and affect their sleeping time. The compulsion to read non-prescribed books which are not age-appropriate would have adverse effects on young minds. Children should not be made to carry heavy school bags at the risk of their health, the judge added.
The court made the observations on a plea moved by advocate M Purushothaman seeking a direction to CBSE schools to follow the only syllabus prescribed by NCERT.
When the plea came up for hearing, Justice Kirubakaran said, ¡°The innocence of children is being robbed by ambitious parents, taskmaster teachers and result-oriented schools by prescribing irrelevant books at a very young age.?
Children end up rote memorising which does not help the children or the parents. The system only does destruction of younger minds. The directions have to be implemented from the academic year 2018-19.
While this move makes a lot of sense, it makes one think if doing away with homework and heavy bags solely, will help students. Do we not need to revisit our teaching methodologies and the basic structure of our education system? Just some food for thought.