An Oireachtas committee today heard from parents who said their children could not walk to school because of the weight of their schoolbags.
Almost one third of parents of primary school students say they are unable to walk to school because their bags are too heavy.
Over 3,000 parents in just four days responded to a survey on the issue in the lead up to today’s discussion at the Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.
There are concerns the weight of childrens’ schoolbags will have future implication on their back health.
National Parents’ Council Primary (NPC – Primary) chied executive Aine Lynch says the situation has worsened with the increasing reliance on textbooks in schools.
The committee is now looking into the possibility of legislation in the area with countries like Estonia taking such steps to make improvements.
