Student school bag weight and health concerns

Health concerns have been raised regarding the weight of school bags and its impact on student physical well-being in the Balkan region.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, medical experts have identified heavy school bags as a primary cause of fatigue and back pain. Dr. Aida Vilić Švraka of the Institute for Public Health noted that many bags exceed 10 percent of a child’s body mass, despite recommendations that weight should ideally stay within 5 to 10 percent. Improper use, such as carrying bags on a single shoulder, is also cited as a risk for muscle strain and postural changes.

In Montenegro, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation confirmed a lack of formal regulations regarding maximum allowable bag weights. Reports show that ten-year-old students frequently carry over five kilograms of supplies. While neighboring countries like Slovenia and Croatia have established weight limits based on body mass, Montenegro intends to address the issue through upcoming education reforms, potentially utilizing increased digitalization to reduce the physical burden on students.