The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) has announced a lighter school bag policy for all private schools in Islamabad.
According to reports, the decision came out of a PEIRA meeting chaired by Acting Chairperson Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah, where several other decisions concerning private educational institutions in the capital were also taken.
Under the policy, school bag weight must not exceed 10 percent of a student’s body weight. PEIRA has also set grade-wise weight limits with bags of pre-school students capped at 1.5 kg, grades 1 and 2 between 1.5 and 2.5 kg, grades 3 to 5 between 2.5 and 4.5 kg, grades 6 to 8 between 4.5 and 6 kg, and grades 9 to 12 between 6 and 8 kg.
“Educational institutions have been directed to ensure that the weight of school bags does not exceed 10 percent of a student’s body weight and to adopt appropriate measures, including rationalised timetables, provision of lockers and reduction of unnecessary books and study materials, in order to minimise the physical burden on students,” a statement from the authority read.
PEIRA further directed that no private institution charge fees beyond the approved 12-month academic session and that tuition fees be collected strictly on a monthly basis. Forensic audits will be conducted to ensure compliance, and a dedicated complaint counter has been set up for parents and complainants.
Speaking to media after the meeting, Dr Mallah remarked that no institution would be allowed to operate unlawfully or exploit students and parents through unauthorised fee collection or other illegal practices.
The meeting was attended by officials from the ministries of interior and education, the National Curriculum Council (NCC) and Cambridge representatives.
