Vol. 502 No. 3
57 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made to address the problems associated with the weight of children's school books and the burden of weight in a child's school bag; the options, if any, available to address this problem; the feasibility of children being allowed to leave certain books in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8107/99]
The report of the working group on the potential problems caused by the weight of heavy schoolbags outlines a number of recommendations which have implications, not only for my Department, but for schools, parents and publishers. One of the main recommendations relates to the need to heighten the awareness of the potential health hazards posed by excessively heavy schoolbags.
In this regard, my Department, at primary and post-primary levels, has initiated an awareness raising campaign by disseminating the report, with an accompanying circular, to all primary and post-primary schools. Furthermore, information leaflets and posters have also been distributed to all schools which highlight the potential health hazard of heavy schoolbags and outline a range of local measures that can be adopted in order to alleviate the problem.
It is a matter for each school to choose those measures which would be most suitable to its individual needs. In this context, the question of children being allowed to leave certain books in school is a matter for each individual school to consider.
