Children are carrying schoolbags which are 20-30% heavier than their age, because of which around 60% students below the age of 10 suffer from orthopaedic as well as stress-induced ailments, said a state government-appointed committee report submitted to the Bombay High Court on Friday.

"Soon children will have to carry trolley bags as the backpacks won't be sufficient," a division bench of Justices V M Kanade and B P Colabawala observed. The bench was informed that the 12-page report has been accepted by the government and a decision will be soon taken on implementation of its recommendations.

"Timetable has to be set in such a way that students need not carry all the books everyday," said Justice Colabawala.

The bench had asked the government to reply by July 23, on when it is likely to implement the recommendations of the committee. It also suggested the government to consider having lockers in schools where children can keep their books.

The committee has recommended that one book be used for three months for each subject. The textbooks' weight can be reduced by using less weight paper and by avoiding. Similarly, there can can be one book for joint subjects like languages, history/geography, and social sciences. Further, it also suggested that e-classroom, audio-visual technology and other technological means should be put to optimum use for teaching in schools.

The bench, after going through the report, said, "We find the suggestions quiet reasonable. But for this year we assume the government may not be able to implement it. So tell us when you can. The petitioners also can give suggestions to the state, which can be incorporated."

Advocate Nitesh Nevshe, appearing for petitioner Swati Patil, said, "The suggestions/ recommendations are presently only on paper and it will be of great help to students if the government implements it."

Patil, in her public interest litigation (PIL), also produced a certificate issued by a doctor from the civic-run KEM hospital stating that children may suffer from backaches, spondylitis, neck pain, and other orthopaedic problems if they continue to carry heavy bags regularly to school.

Further, Patil said that in 2006, the Education department had issued a few rules regarding the same. However, these rules were not implemented as the department then said that if possible the schools can implement them.