Authorities in Islamabad have introduced a new policy aimed at reducing the burden of heavy school bags on students, while also taking steps to enforce the removal of a banned O-level Pakistan Studies book still being sold in the market.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), chaired by Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah. The authority directed private schools to ensure that the weight of school bags does not exceed 10 per cent of a student’s body weight.
To implement the policy, schools have been instructed to adopt practical measures such as reorganising timetables, reducing unnecessary books, and providing lockers for students. Specific weight limits have also been defined for different classes, ranging from 1.5kg for pre-school students to a maximum of 8kg for higher classes.
In addition to student welfare measures, PEIRA announced strict enforcement against unregistered private educational institutions. Authorities will conduct raids in coordination with district administration and law enforcement agencies to take action against schools operating without proper registration.
The regulator also warned institutions against charging excessive or unauthorized fees. Schools have been instructed to collect tuition strictly on a monthly basis and not exceed the approved academic session duration. A complaint mechanism has also been introduced to address concerns raised by parents.
Separately, government officials held a meeting regarding a controversial O-level Pakistan Studies book titled The History and Culture of Pakistan, authored by Nigel Kelly. The book had been banned in 2023 over concerns of biased and misleading content but is reportedly still available in bookstores.
Officials from the Ministry of Education and the National Curriculum Council directed authorities to remove all copies of the banned book from the market with the support of district administration. It was also clarified that the book is not endorsed by Cambridge.
The move reflects the government’s broader efforts to improve education standards, ensure student safety, and regulate private educational institutions more effectively.
