Many young children carry schoolbags which are heavier than the maximum weight recommended by medical experts, according to an expert group. In its report to the Minister for Education, the group urged a "major initiative" to reduce the size and weight of textbooks, particularly for 12 to 15-year-olds, since they "carry schoolbags which are heaviest in proportion to body weight".
The group recommends that schools should liaise with educational publishers to "activate a demand for smaller, lighter text books". It says multi-level textbooks - covering two or three years of study - could be divided. The report notes that two or three of these omnibus textbooks with the schoolbag, lunch and a pencil case were sufficient to reach the maximum acceptable weight.
The group suggests it is reasonable for children to carry up to 10 per cent of their body weight, while some children carried over 20 per cent of their weight.
The research, albeit limited, suggested a weight limit of 3.7 kg for 12-year-olds, 5.5 kg for 17-year-old girls and 6.2 kg for 17-year-old boys. Local conditions, time taken and distance should also be taken into account.
The group says locally-based solutions are reported more in primary than in post-primary schools. These include leaving bags in school overnight and co-ordinating homework assignments. Second-level solutions include providing lockers, double class periods, co-ordination of homework by subject teachers and active liaison with parents.
In his response to the report, the Minister, Mr Martin, said an information pack on school-based solutions would be sent to every school.