A schoolbag designed to prevent back pain and spinal damage in children is to be shown in Dublin tomorrow.
The bag, which is to be introduced by Dunnes Stores at its Blanchardstown centre, was developed by the National Backpain Association (NBPA), a registered medical charity in the UK, following extensive research.
A recent British study found that many schoolchildren carry schoolbags of up to one-third of their body weight rather than the recommended 10 per cent.
An expert group, set up by the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, reported last year that many Irish schoolchildren carry schoolbags which are heavier than the maximum weight recommended by medical experts.
It called for a major initiative to reduce the size and weight of textbooks, particularly for 12 to 15-year-olds, since they carried schoolbags which are heaviest in proportion to body weight.
The group recommended that schools should liase with educational publishers "to activate a demand for smaller, lighter textbooks". It said that multilevel textbooks, covering two or three years of study, could be divided. It said just two or three omnibus textbooks with the schoolbag, lunch and a pencil case were enough to reach the maximum acceptable weight.
The group suggested that it was reasonable for children to carry up to 10 per cent of their body weight, while some children carried over 20 per cent.
Weight limits of 3.7 kg for 12-year-olds, 5.5 kg for 17-year old girls and 6.2 kg for 17-year old boys were suggested. Local conditions and distance to and from school should also be taken into account, it added.
The group also referred to locally-based solutions, including leaving bags in school overnight and co-ordinating homework assignments. Providing lockers, double class periods, co-ordination of homework by subject teachers and active liaison with parents were also suggested.
Following the report, Mr Martin ordered that an information pack on school-based solutions should be sent to every school.
