Ministry moves to end ‘heavy bag’ ordeal for pupils

PUTRAJAYA: The Education Min­istry wants all primary schools to reduce the number of workbooks used during lessons to end the rampant “heavy bag phenomenon” in Chinese schools, as well as to lighten parents’ financial burden.

Its deputy minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon warned that action would be taken against schools that do not comply with a ministry circular in 2000, regarding the usage of workbooks in primary schools, which ordered a reduction in pupils’ exercise books.