Punjab govt prepares new digital curriculum to reduce school bag weight by 25%

LAHORE: The Punjab government is preparing a new curriculum for primary school students to reduce the weight of school bags, with 25 per cent of the existing textbook content set to be reduced under the proposed changes.

As per reports, the new curriculum has been designed for students from nursery to Grade 5 and is expected to be introduced across Punjab schools from April 1, the start of the next academic year.

The Punjab government spokesperson said that the revised curriculum will be entirely transferred to a digitalised system, with digital and conceptual learning, with around 25 per cent of the lighter curriculum based on QR codes and video lessons.

This initiative aims to reduce academic pressure on young students and modernise the primary education system.

Moreover, the decision comes amid concerns over the growing number of textbooks, notebooks, workbooks and supplementary learning materials students are required to carry.

However, parents also expressed concerns, saying children in major cities often have to study additional grammar and mathematics practice books alongside compulsory subjects, as well as computer science, artificial intelligence, and other modern subjects.

The additional material has increased the weight of school bags, placing a burden on young students.

Therefore, the government has decided to revise the curriculum from nursery to Grade 5, and has prepared the revised materials and sent them to Cambridge for proofreading.

After approval, the textbooks will be sent for printing in January to ensure they are available before the new academic year.