Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address concerns raised by parents regarding the weight of school bags for pupils attending national and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36419/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the board of management (board) is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The board manages the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and their parents, therefore queries regarding the weight of school bags are a matter for the board of each individual school.

The Department is aware that positive action has been taken by many schools on the issue of heavy school bags. Actions consist of a range of measures, including the arrangement of the timetable into double class periods, active liaison with parents and the co-ordination of homework by subject teachers.

The use of digital resources by teachers and students in schools is increasing. While conventional textbooks are still widely used, a number of schools have introduced or are considering introducing e-books and other digital resources to enhance students' work in school and at home.

As every school is different in terms of (i) location; (ii) physical layout (iii) available space within the school; and (iv) student numbers, boards of management themselves are best placed to decide on the appropriate reconfigurations / operational changes necessary in their own schools with regard to a multitude of situations including but not limited to the weight of school bags. Ultimately it is a matter for each individual school to determine which particular measures are most suited to its individual circumstances.

Concerns regarding the weight of school bags should be discussed with the school principal in the first instance. It, at that point, the parent remains dissatisfied with the response given by the school principal. it is open to raise the matter with the chairperson of the board of management by writing to the chairperson at the school address, marking the envelope ‘private and confidential’ and for the attention of the chairperson.