In a progressive move aimed at lightening the academic burden on students, the Uttarakhand government has announced the introduction of 10 "bag-free" days per academic session in all state schools. This initiative aligns with the principles outlined in the new National Education Policy, 2020.

According to an official release, upper primary and secondary schools, from class 6 to class 12, will observe one bag-free day each month, specifically on the last Saturday of the academic year. This decision is set to be implemented in the upcoming academic session starting April.

On these designated bag-free days, students will attend school without the weight of textbooks and engage in diverse activities matched to their interests and skills. The curriculum for these days includes subjects such as soil management, machine learning, pottery, woodwork, calligraphy, health education, communication skills, nature conservation, welding, casting, stitching, and robotics.

State Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat expressed the motive behind this move, stating, "The decision has been taken for the all-round development of school children so that apart from their studies, they can also upgrade their special skills for which they have an inborn talent."

The bag-free day concept is not entirely new to Uttarakhand, as primary schools in the state already observe similar days known as "Pratibha Diwas." On these occasions, students are encouraged to participate in activities of their choice.

Various associations of parents and teachers have lauded the state government's decision, recognizing it as an important step toward the holistic development of students. The state education minister has approved a departmental proposal for the introduction of bag-free days in all schools, and the process of implementation is expected to commence once the government issues an official order in this regard.

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