The burden of school bags will be reduced in Uttarakhand schools, one day in a month will be Bag Free Day
It will start from April, all private schools have agreed: Education Minister
Dehradun, March 9, 2025
The books “Hamari Virasat evam Vibhutiyan” (Our Heritage and Eminent Personalities), prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), will now be taught in all private schools across the state. Additionally, the burden of school bags for students in private schools will be reduced, and a “Bag-Free Day” will be observed once a month. This initiative will be officially launched in the first week of April, with private school organizations and school administrators agreeing to its implementation.
Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat stated that the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are being rapidly implemented across the state.
As part of this, an important meeting was held last Friday with private school organizations and administrators, where it was decided to introduce “Hamari Virasat evam Vibhutiyan” books in private schools according to grade levels.
Dr. Rawat mentioned that introducing these books in private schools will help students from India and abroad learn about Uttarakhand’s rich folk heritage, cultural diversity, separate statehood movement, socio-cultural movements, folk songs, folk dances, tourism, historical sites, and great personalities.
Additionally, similar to government schools, private schools will also implement prescribed weight limits for school bags to prevent unnecessary burden on children.
A “Bag-Free Day” will be observed once a month in private schools as well, reducing academic stress and allowing students to explore new learning methodologies. This initiative will officially commence in the first week of April.
The minister further stated that to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER), all private schools will be integrated with the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (Education Review Center).
During the meeting, decisions were also made to initiate a Teaching Sharing Program between private and government schools and to share laboratories and playgrounds, ensuring better utilization of resources.
Dr. Rawat urged private school teachers to participate in the “Sakshar Uttarakhand Abhiyan” (Literate Uttarakhand Campaign) by educating at least one illiterate person. Additionally, he encouraged school administrators to contribute to the “TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” (TB-Free India Campaign) by adopting TB patients as “Nikshay Mitra” (Supportive Friends). Private school administrators expressed their support for these initiatives.
