Learning Holistic
Various state governments in India are now promoting experiential and skill-based education
Jharkhand is about to join other states like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Manipur, Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir in actively proposing, promoting, or implementing ‘No Bag Day’ policy in its schools.
“No Bag Day” is a designated day when students attend school without their usual textbooks and schoolbags. This is in line with the national New Education Policy( NEP 2020). The idea is to reduce the burden of schoolbags and encouraging more engaging vocational and skill-based activities in learner-friendly classroom environments.
According to Shashi Ranjan, state project director of the department, while upper-primary level students, from Classes 6 to 8, currently observe ten ‘No Bag Days’ annually in Jharkhand, the programme will now be extended to students at the primary level as well.
“National Education Policy, 2020 mandates to introduce students to skill and vocational training. Students in the upper-primary level are already getting a 10- day relief from bringing bags to schools. On those days, schools invite local artisans to teach students art and crafts or take them on tours to prominent places near schools and do various other activities”, he said.
The idea is shifting focus from rote learning to real-world application, helping students explore local crafts, develop practical knowledge, and experience education beyond the classroom environment.
Key Provisions in NEP 2020 Related To No Bag Days
Bagless Period (Grades 6-8)
All students in Grades 6 to 8 will undergo a 10-day “bagless period” during which they intern with local vocational experts-such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, and artists-for hands-on exposure.
Vocational Exposure (Grades 6-12)
Similar internship opportunities may extend up to Grade 12, including during holidays, to build early vocational and career awareness.
Practice-Based Curriculum
A skill-based, hands-on curriculum for Grades 6 to 8 will be designed by NCERT as part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2020-21.
Year-Round No Bag Days
Schools will be encouraged to implement periodic “bagless days” throughout the academic year, involving activities such as arts, sports, quizzes, cultural events, and vocational crafts.
Field Visits and Cultural Exposure
Students will be taken to places of historical, cultural, or educational importance to help them connect classroom learning with the outside world.
Reducing the Weight of School Bags
NCERT, SCERTs, and schools are tasked with making curricular and pedagogical changes to reduce the physical burden of schoolbags and textbooks.
Beyond the Classroom: A Creative Celebration
In some institutions, No Bag Day has also taken a creative and festive turn. For instance, in a Chennai college, students celebrated the day by bringing everyday household items-like pressure cookers, suitcases, and buckets-instead of schoolbags, symbolising a break from routine and celebrating a lighter, freer approach to education.
To sum up, the “No Bag Day” initiative aligns with the broader vision of NEP 2020 by:
• Making learning holistic and learner-centric
• Encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and real-world skill application
• Reducing the physical and psychological burden on students
• Promoting vocational awareness, community connection, and appreciation of local crafts.
