This is likely to be implemented from the next academic session.

There will be another first — according to guidelines of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), government schools will also introduce a grade system for students of these classes.

All government schools will be revamped, it is learnt, and lockers are very much on the anvil.

Students can keep their books and other accessories there, which would mean they can avoid carrying bags to school. Director Public Instructions (Schools), S K Setia told Newsline: “CBSE has been telling schools for long to take this load off students.”

Meanwhile, a few schools including Strawberry Fields in Sector 26, had chalked out plans for the “no-bag” concept but is yet to implement them. St John’s School, also in Sector 26, has achieved much of the target as authorities have instructed students in these classes to carry only three notebooks to school, which is a miniscule of the usual load. The students will be asked to do their homework on loose sheets, which they can get to schools and later attach in the homework file, to be maintained by them. The grade system is also doing away with exams.

These decisions have been welcomed by academicians. Professor Rajesh Gill of the Department of Sociology in Panjab University said, “This concept is wonderful but needs to be implemented properly.” Meanwhile, students above Class V in all government schools, will be provided with bags that will bear the logo of the Education department. Till now, students were only given free education, but from the next academic session, they will also get rubber shoes.