However, though all schools in the city are attempting to make students spurn plastic bags through lessons in general science, not too many are educating them on why they must do so.

Teachers of several such schools, interestingly, agree students should be told about the hazards of plastic its unbiodegradable nature; its toxic content; its basic `indisposability' just as they were taught about AIDS and other diseases, with practical help and through projects.

``Students are being told about the dangers of plastic, but so long as it is part of their syllabus, they'll learn about it only because they have to answer questions on it in their examinations'', says Imtiaz Shaikh, a teacher in Shreyas School. ``Though students, as a rule, are aware of the hazards of plastic, they won't take it seriously unless schools drive home the message through projects and practical sessions''.

Certain city schools, however, have already adopted the green path. ``Students are being told about the dangers of the flimsy plastic bag, but at present, it is just a word-of-mouth affair'', says Arnawaz Havewala, principal of Baroda High School, Alkapuri. ``Even then, the effects are being felt in the drop in the number of students carrying their lunch-boxes in paper-bags or thailas. The students who persist in bringing plastic bags to school are pulled up by their seniors''.

BHS intends to further the advantage by taking up anti-plastic studies as a project from the next term. ``Discussions on this are underway at the executive level'', says Havewala.

Tejas Vidyalaya administrator Revathi Shanker says they are trying to reach out to the adult population as well with their anti-plastic campaign. ``The children will be constantly reminding their parents about the dangers of plastic, which is bound to have an effect'', says Shanker. ``We've also had several meetings with students' parents on this count and the response has been positive.'' Apart from the teachers, captains, class prefects and representatives had also been told to educate their classes about plastic waste during free time, she adds.

While maintaining that the school authorities could only advise and request students to spurn plastic, Shanker is practicing what the school preaches by using only cloth bags herself. ``I have stopped using polythene bags and have got cloth bags tailor-made in various sizes for various purposes'', says Shanker. Not just the Tejas students, most would do well to follow her example.