Muscat – As  students gear up for the new school year starting on September 1, Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a warning about the health risks associated with carrying heavy school bags.

Dr Abdulrahman bin Ali al Subhi, Consultant Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at MoH, highlighted the often-overlooked dangers that heavy bags pose to students’ health. “The weight of school bags is not just a physical issue but one that can impact students psychologically and academically,” he said, noting that the issue has drawn the attention of medical professionals.

Studies have shown the potential harm heavy school bags can cause. One study in Malta involving students aged eight to 13 found that over 70% of participants carried bags exceeding the recommended limit of 10% of their body weight. As a result, 32% of these students reported back pain. A similar situation was observed in Uganda, where nearly 31% of students carried bags heavier than the recommended limit, leading to widespread musculoskeletal pain and, in some cases, long-term health issues such as spinal deformities.

Carrying heavy school bags, Dr Subhi explained, can lead to increased fatigue, reduced concentration, and heightened levels of anxiety and stress. To combat this, several countries have introduced effective solutions.

“The issue of heavy school bags remains a serious concern, but successful experiences in various countries show that solutions can be implemented to create a safer educational environment,” Dr Subhi said.

Mazen bin Masoud al Arfi, Head of Medical Rehabilitation Services Department at Khoula Hospital, also weighed in on the issue. Emphasising the importance of choosing the right school bag, he advised that it be lightweight and both shoulder straps used to distribute weight evenly.

He recommended ensuring the total weight does not exceed 15% of the student’s body weight. The bag should not be larger than the student’s back and provide adequate support.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken steps to address the issue, particularly for younger students in Grades 1 to 4. As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure students’ health, MoE has introduced practical measures to reduce the weight of school bags. A recent directive limits students in these grades to using just two notebooks of 80 sheets each – one for each main subject. The use of additional booklets or external binders has been prohibited, with students required to use only the books provided by the ministry.

Lockers have been installed in schools so that students can leave their books there instead of carrying them home every day. MoE is also promoting the use of electronic books available on the educational portal, which can further reduce the weight students carry. Teachers have been asked to coordinate homework assignments to ensure that students do not have to carry unnecessary items.