The Union Ministry of Education has announced a major overhaul in middle school education with the introduction of “bagless days” for students in classes 6-8. The guidelines, unveiled on Monday to mark the fourth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, are aimed at making learning more experiential, joyful, and stress-free.
Developed by the PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education, a unit of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the new guidelines seek to integrate a 10-day bagless period into the academic calendar of middle school students. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing students with hands-on experience in various vocational skills.
“The concept behind the 10 bagless days is to embed these experiences into the teaching-learning process rather than treating them as mere add-ons,” the guidelines state. This approach is intended to reduce the distinction between bookish knowledge and its practical application, while also helping students explore potential career paths through direct exposure to different vocational fields.
During the bagless period, students will engage in a range of activities including internships with local vocational experts—such as carpenters, gardeners, and potters. The activities are tailored based on regional and local needs, allowing students to gain practical skills in areas such as carpentry, metal work, gardening, and pottery.
The guidelines recommend that schools schedule these bagless days in two or three slots throughout the academic year. Flexibility is encouraged, with the possibility of integrating both indoor and outdoor activities within the same day if needed. Suggested activities include visits to vegetable markets, charity work, pet care surveys, kite making and flying, organising book fairs, and visits to renewable energy sites like biogas plants and solar energy parks.
In addition to the bagless days initiative, the Ministry announced several other initiatives celebrating the NEP anniversary. These include the launch of dedicated TV channels for various Indian languages, a Tamil educational channel, primers for early graders in 25 languages, career guidance guidelines, and resources for teachers in braille and audiobooks. A school innovation marathon by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and a new book on graduation attributes and professional competencies were also introduced.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the transformative impact of the NEP 2020. “The four-year journey of NEP, 2020, has been about bringing in transformative change in the country’s education system for nurturing a new generation of learners. NEP, 2020, stands as a symbol of hope for transforming the learning landscape, harnessing the country’s demographic dividend, empowering the population and driving socio-economic development,” he stated.
