Qatar’s schools try out methods to reduce weight of books children carry
A number of schools in Doha are trying to come up with measures to ease students’ burden of carrying heavy bags, a practice that many doctors say can cause long-term health problems.
One of the options is to use the services of “cadets”, or senior pupils, to carry the bags of younger students.
“We require our cadets to carry the bags and trolleys of young students upstairs every morning as part of their community service,” Philippine School of Doha (PSD) principal Alexander Acosta told Gulf Times.
While the issue is often raised during their annual Parents and Teachers Association meeting, he said they have found this practice as the only solution so far. It has been “very helpful to students”, he noted.
Asked if it is possible to lessen the number books students need to carry, Acosta said each book is required for the courses/subjects students have to attend daily.
PSD does not want to resort to using e-books, which Acosta believes will lower students’ dexterity and motor skills, based on a number of studies.
He added that the excessive use of gadgets such as e-books may also cause health issues.
Despite this measure, some parents want schools to do more as their children continue to suffer from carrying heavy bags, whose weight is often more than what they should ideally carry.
A mother said her Grade 4 son, who carries about 10 books plus some notebooks and other school supplies in his bag, has been complaining of back pain lately.
Despite being given lockers at school, she noted that students opt to bring their books home because of assignments.
A popular international school in Doha seems to be taking this issue seriously as it provide all students, from nursery onwards, with lockers to keep their books before going home, it is learnt.
A staff member said that students in the lower elementary already have a list of things they will be bringing to school before the start of classes.
“The role of assistant teachers is to collect these things, which will be used for the whole school year, and keep them in a cabinet,” she explained. “Books are kept in lockers and students only carry their personal stuff.”
The staff member added that students are allowed to take home some books (two to three) - per day or per week - at the teacher’s discretion.
“Some students bring all the books that they’ll be using for the whole year; so there is no need to carry them every day,” she said.
“Students are encouraged to study and read books in the library during their break or free time. Books taken home are usually for bedtime stories read by parents,” the employee added. “So, they don’t really carry heavy bags with them.”
Courtesy: gulf-times.com
I use to carry my kids bag for last few years up to the gate. I feel about the children who come by school transport.
Those children are the most suffered.
This is my personal opinion and it's the parents/teachers duty to form a constructive forum and come out with a proper solution.
If I am the one who made the least of idea's, I have no issues. This is what I know &,
My job is to contribute what i know.
different strokes for different folks
Hi Deleerious,
Thank you for your suggestion. I personally don't recommend.
The children should be away from electronic as much as possible. In the sense like watching some thing on the screen too long is no too good for children.
That's why I feel Qatar need a children's library badly. I suppose one such library suppose to open soon.
Ipads?
You are correct - There are negatives to both systems. Having been an expat for a number of years and having talked to various parents, I have noted that many teachers push the onus of learning to parents through homework ..
Brity, Thank you and I couldn't agree with you more.
The reason I insist the book to be in home, may be 4 subjects a day. Because every human need a supervisor.
Children are in different kind. Example, some children are very much forward, some are not. Those kids need the parents to be with them.
Example, In one school when a parent spoke to the teacher, the child comes in to the front table. If not he sits always in the back.
I hope the school itself must be having a proper rotation system.
Again, may be the school is having but this particular child has been not been rotated.
It also applicable for home work, extra work etc.,
For entire year, you can’t allow a teacher to focus on homework, studies, other activities without the observance of the parents.
I prefer a teacher does all, but in practical it may not the case.
Btw: I admire the western education but I am afraid, i cannot agree for all.
mohamed: The trend in the West is to reduce the amount of homework and the number of books a student takes home.
Parents are involved in projects , but shouldn't be in homework.
School authorities itself should come up a plan on this. (They are the best to solve this)
In my opinion the kid should bring the books back Home. As the parents should observe, whats going on.
A teacher can not be a parent. If He Or She is, Then she/He is a real teacher.
How ever, Let me suggest my opinion, that is, reduce number of subjects for a day.
Example, let the kid study 4 subjects for a day instead 8.
This is a humble opinion of mine and I am requesting the other parents who has creative ideas to post on to this forum.
what a bunch of hogwash this is
WT, You are expected to focus on the subject at hand .............. ............. If you look at left & right ........ it means you don't know a thing ............
Someone will carry their butt, too, in the future, because it is too heavy!
"One of the options is to use the services of “cadets”, or senior pupils, to carry the bags of younger students." - Now I've heard everything ..
Surely the answer is to use more modern teaching methods, use books mostly in school and less homework or homework based on research using initiative / internet
This is a wise move .. The children are too burdened