New Guidelines for Bagless Days: Making Learning Fun and Practical for Classes 6-8

The Union Ministry of Education has unveiled new guidelines aimed at making learning more joyful and practical for students in Classes 6 to 8. Announced on the fourth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, these guidelines introduce the concept of “bagless days” to enhance students’ learning experiences.

Four books and lecture notes aimed at promoting Indian knowledge systems among students and teachers were also launched 

What Are Bagless Days?

Starting this academic year, students in Classes 6–8 will experience a 10-day period where they won’t carry their school bags. Instead, they will engage in hands-on learning by interning with local vocational experts such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, and more. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, helping students explore various vocational crafts and potential career paths.

Key Highlights of the Guidelines

• Integration into Curriculum: The bagless days are meant to be an integral part of the curriculum, not just an addition. The aim is to reduce the boundary between bookish knowledge and real-world application.
• Vocational Exposure: Students will participate in practical courses that offer a survey and hands-on experience of important vocational skills. Activities might include carpentry, gardening, metal work, pottery, and other crafts tailored to local and state needs.
• Flexible Scheduling: Schools can schedule these 10 bagless days across the academic year, ideally spreading them over two or three slots. This flexibility allows for the integration of both indoor and outdoor activities, depending on the school’s annual work plan.

Suggested Activities

The guidelines include a variety of engaging activities such as:

• Visits to vegetable markets and charity organizations
• Surveys and report writing on topics like pet care
• Creative activities such as doodling, kite making, and flying
• Organizing book fairs and visiting biogas plants and solar energy parks

These activities are designed to offer practical learning experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.

Additional Initiatives

On the NEP anniversary, several other educational initiatives were also launched, including:

• Dedicated TV channels for learning various Indian languages
• Tamil language learning resources
• Career guidance guidelines and mentoring programs
• National Professional Standards for Teachers in braille and audiobooks
• A school innovation marathon by AICTE
• Books and lecture notes promoting Indian knowledge systems

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that the NEP 2020 aims to bring transformative changes to the education system. He emphasized that these changes are crucial for nurturing a new generation of learners, harnessing the country’s demographic dividend, and driving socio-economic development.

The newly introduced bagless days are a step towards making education more experiential, engaging, and relevant, helping students connect their academic learning with real-world skills.