Ahmedabad/Surat: In a startling reality check, the Gujarat government’s much-publicized initiative of ‘No School Bag Saturday’ — part of the New Education Policy 2022 — got off to a lacklustre start across the state on July 5. Despite clear instructions from the Education Department to implement the policy in all primary schools, many institutions in key cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot defied or delayed compliance.The initiative, aimed at reducing academic stress and encouraging extracurricular engagement, mandates that every Saturday, children from Class 1 to 8 should attend school without bags and instead participate in activities like yoga, art, games, and cultural events. But as the first Saturday arrived, ground reports revealed that students in most government and private schools were still burdened with their usual heavy bags.No Implementation In Major CitiesReality checks conducted in Ahmedabad revealed the ground truth. Students were seen walking into their schools with backpacks in Kendriya Vidyalaya (Shahibaug), Rajasthan School, and even Swaminarayan Gurukul. All three schools — representing government, semi-private, and private managements — failed to observe the 'bagless day'.“The policy may exist on paper, but we haven’t received clear guidelines yet,” said a teacher at a private school in Ahmedabad, requesting anonymity. “Unless there is a detailed circular with a structured timetable, schools won’t be able to implement it effectively.”Schools In Surat Delay The RolloutIn Surat, while some schools tried to align with the initiative, others openly defied it. Radiant International School informed parents through an official communication that ‘No School Bag Saturday’ would not be implemented from July 5, citing internal planning delays. “The school has informed us that they will announce the actual implementation date next week,” said Pooja Mehta, a parent of a Class 3 student.However, a ray of positivity was seen at Vidya Bharati School in Bhattar, Surat, where the spirit of the initiative was embraced. Although students arrived with bags, they were filled with only water bottles and lunchboxes. “We didn’t study today — we did painting, played games, and had a yoga session. It was fun!” said Roshni, a Class 5 student beaming with excitement.Educationists And Health Experts Support Bagless DaysEducationists and pediatric physiologists have long warned of the dangers of heavy school bags. “Carrying excessive weight during the early developmental years — ages 4 to 12 — can lead to serious spinal issues and deformities,” explained Dr. Nilesh Raval, a pediatric orthopedist. “Repeated strain can affect posture, cause early disc degeneration, and trigger lifelong back problems.”Educational consultant Reema Shah praised the government’s vision: “This initiative can be transformative. Learning is not just about textbooks. Bagless Saturdays can nurture creativity and social-emotional development through music, art, and sports.”She added, “It is unfortunate that schools are reluctant. The Education Department must enforce this more strongly, and school managements need to be more proactive.”Gaps An Communication And AccountabilitySeveral school heads claimed they hadn’t received a formal government order. “We heard about it in the news, but we need clarity on how to conduct a structured ‘bagless day’,” said the principal of a CBSE-affiliated school in Rajkot. “We can’t risk a wasted academic day unless there’s a proper activity framework.”On the other hand, parents expressed confusion and disappointment. “We packed the school bag just in case. We didn’t want our child to get penalized or feel left out,” said Alpesh Patel, a parent in Vadodara.Call For Stricter ImplementationThe Education Department’s intent to reduce rote learning and stress is commendable, but lax follow-through is hampering the policy’s success. Experts believe that without formal monitoring, compliance will remain poor.“If a statewide campaign is announced, there must be a mechanism to ensure implementation. Otherwise, it sends the wrong message about governance,” said social activist Devang Joshi.