A division bench of justice VM Kanade and justice Revati Mohite Dhere said: "Formation of policy is a first step, we want to see whether all the schools implement it and if not then what is the action you (state) would be taking against the erring schools."
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday turned down the state government's request to dispose of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Swati Patil seeking to form and implement a policy to reduce weight of school bags.
A division bench of justice VM Kanade and justice Revati Mohite Dhere said: "Formation of policy is a first step, we want to see whether all the schools implement it and if not then what is the action you (state) would be taking against the erring schools."
Additional government pleader Anjali Helekar had asked for disposing of the petition on the grounds that the government had formulated the policy and the purpose of the petition was met. However, the court was of the view that "it is necessary to see that the court orders and the policy is implemented". The court has now asked the state to file a status report on the implementation by March 8.
Patil has in her petition sought directions to the state to ensure that the weight of school bags is reduced. Earlier, the government had appointed a committee that had noted that the school bags were so heavy that 60 per cent of students below the age of 10 were suffering from orthopaedic and stress-induced ailments.
The committee had recommended that one book per subject should be used for three months and the textbook weight can be reduced by using less weighing paper and without hard cover. It also suggested use of e-classroom, audio-visual technology and other technological means for teaching.
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