The state education department’s initiative to implement a “No School Bag Day” for primary students starting July 5 has received a mixed response. While educationists have welcomed the move as a step toward stress-free and experiential learning, concerns have been raised about its execution, particularly in government schools lacking adequate staff for extracurricular activities.
According to a circular issued by the Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training (GCERT) on Tuesday, each academic term will now include four ‘No Bag’ Saturdays and eight ‘Happy Saturdays.’ The directive applies to government, grant-in-aid, and self-financed schools affiliated with the Gujarat Board. These days are intended to promote holistic development under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will feature mass drills, yoga, cultural programmes, games, music, drawing, educational projects, and local excursions.
The circular, signed by GCERT’s in-charge director Prakash Trivedi, noted that increased screen time due to mobile phone use is leading to social, physical, and mental health issues among students. “Ten days of Happy Saturdays will help students engage in meaningful activities and stay away from mobile phones,” Trivedi stated.
However, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has questioned the viability of the initiative. GPCC spokesperson Manish Doshi criticised the government for failing to recruit teachers in key areas such as sports, arts, music, and physical education. “Art, music, and PE teachers haven’t been recruited in over 15 years. Around 6,921 primary schools in Gujarat don’t even have playgrounds. With such shortages, how will schools conduct activities on bagless days?” Doshi asked.
He also highlighted a broader issue, citing a shortage of 40,000 teachers across the state and the lack of computer instructors. “While students may get relief from heavy bags once a week, when will poor and middle-class parents get relief from sky-high school fees?” Doshi added, calling on the state government to focus on teacher recruitment instead of only symbolic initiatives like Praveshotsav.