September 10, Colombo (LNW): Schoolchildren could soon be carrying significantly lighter bags as the Government prepares to introduce a modular approach to education, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today (10).
Under the proposed changes, traditional textbooks will be replaced in part by smaller, more focused learning materials and activity books. Certain resources will also be retained at schools, allowing pupils to leave some of their books in classrooms rather than transporting them home each day.
The Prime Minister said the reforms would not involve a complete shift towards digital learning, noting that printed educational material would continue to play an important role in schools.
However, the Government intends to reduce the volume of books students are required to carry, she said, as part of wider efforts to make school life more manageable and student-friendly.
The proposed modular system is expected to place greater emphasis on practical activities and streamlined learning materials, while addressing concerns over the physical strain caused by increasingly heavy school bags.