Patna: The Bihar government has decided to introduce a ‘no-bag day’ rule in schools along with a mandatory games period at least once a week in order to lighten the load on, students. The policy is being brought to engage students in activities that can positively impact their learning.
Education Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Dipak Kumar Singh said notification to this effect will be issued soon. Singh said the weekly no-bag day will have practical classes. He added, “At least once a week, students will come to schools only with their lunch boxes. They do not need to carry books. The day will be devoted to practical and experiential learning,”
“School authorities must prepare curriculum for such activities. This step will certainly bring positive changes among students, which will also improve their learning ability. Encouraged by an impressive performance of our students in regional, national and international sporting events, we will introduce a mandatory games period in schools,” Singh further added.
Singh says the new initiative by the state government is in line with the National Education Policy 2022 and it would be implemented across private and government-run schools. During the mandatory games period once, Bihar state Art, Culture and Youth Minister Jitendra Kumar Rai said, “Our department is preparing a proposal in this regard. I will meet the state education minister and submit the detailed proposal to him.” While claiming authorities wanted sports to be an essential part of the academic curriculum, Rai said,
“If a games period is introduced in schools, we would be able to identify talents at a very early stage. The government will accordingly prepare them for the state, national and international sporting events,”
Rai says it’s a ‘matter of pride for Bihar that players from the state have performed exceptionally well in international and national games while adding six medals were won by athletes from Bihar at the recently finished World Championship of Arnis Games in the Philippines.