Concerns about the Child's Workload
Nazira showed the contents of her son Koshoy's backpack: a pencil case, four textbooks, and numerous workbooks. "He is supposed to be in the first grade, but according to the new rules, he ended up in the second," the woman explains.The main issue is that the second-grade curriculum is too complex for his age. "I can't always explain the material myself, and it causes him stress," the mother shares.
Additionally, the weight of the backpack is also a concern. "Sometimes he has to carry all four textbooks. Try lifting such a load yourself. I wouldn't be able to walk to work like that," Nazira notes.
The Child's Feelings
Koshoy himself confirms that the backpack is too heavy."These books are very heavy. When I lift them, my shoulders start to hurt. I'm tired when I go home after school. I lie down because I have no strength, and then I only do other things," shares the second grader. He also tried on his friend's backpack and found it to be heavy as well.
Koshoy's older brother, Ramazan, supports him: "I help him with his backpack. His backpack is heavy even for me, while mine is light," he says.
Backpack Weight: Facts and Figures
For a deeper understanding of the problem, the editorial team of Kaktus.media weighed Koshoy's backpack on a typical school day. With four lessons, the weight of the textbooks and workbooks for mathematics, Russian language, and the subject "Me and the World" amounted to 3 kilograms. This does not include materials for the fourth lesson - Art, where an album, paints, and other supplies are required. Thus, the actual weight of the backpack significantly exceeds 3 kg.According to standards, the weight of a backpack for students in grades 1-2 should not exceed 1.5-2 kg, so Koshoy's current situation is twice the allowable limit.
Medical Opinion on the Consequences
Orthopedist Maksat Mamasadykov warns about the harm of carrying heavy backpacks on children's health."Regularly carrying excessive weight can lead to quick fatigue, muscle weakness, and cause deformities of the feet, knees, and spine," says the doctor. He adds that such problems can lead to serious consequences in the future, including hernias and chronic headaches.
"If a child often complains of leg pain, it may not just be 'growth,' but a result of improper loading," warns the orthopedist.
What Do Parents Propose?
Like many other parents, Nazira believes that systemic changes are necessary.- Adjustment of the curriculum: a return to more age-appropriate programs in primary school.
- Technical solutions: the possibility of storing textbooks in the classroom or switching to electronic versions.
- Communication with teachers: the ability to receive assignments electronically, so as not to carry all the books home.
Many parents across the country agree with her, expressing their dissatisfaction with the heaviness of textbooks and the complexity of the programs.
"The textbooks are too heavy, and the curriculum is not age-appropriate. How could these textbooks be compiled like this?"
"The weight of the backpacks is just awful, as if there are bricks in there!"
"The content of the textbooks does not match the age! The first-grade assignments are too complex, and the books are large and confusing. Where is the adapted program for children?"
"Children are immediately placed in the second grade, and now they receive materials that correspond to the fourth-grade level. It is unclear on what basis such decisions were made?"
As of now, the Ministry of Education has not responded to the request from Kaktus.media.
