'Primary students to carry permitted books only'

The Primary Education Department issued a directive to ensure that students only carry government-approved books and materials in their school bags.

“The primary school-level books approved by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board should not cause any problems for the students,” a letter issued by the department read, reports bdnews24.com.

“It is recommended that everyone be alert and ensure no student carries a book bag that exceeds 10 per cent of the student’s weight, in line with the High Court decision,” the department said.

“Students must be discouraged from bringing anything other than the approved textbooks and materials in their bags to avoid back pains and problems standing upright,” it said.

Teachers, directors of schools and guardians were asked to make sure students do not carry excess weight.

The letter relayed the instructions to the director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the divisional deputy director of the eight primary education divisions, district, Upazila and Thana education officials and the superintendents of the Primary Teachers Training Institute.