Gujarat Launches ‘No School Bag Day’ Every Saturday 

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – In a significant stride toward transforming traditional classroom learning, the Government of Gujarat has officially implemented ‘No School Bag Day’ every Saturday for primary schools across the state starting July 5, 2025. This move aligns with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2022, which emphasizes all-round development of students through a balanced blend of academics and extracurricular engagement.

The decision marks a progressive shift from rote learning to experiential education, with Saturdays now dedicated to non-academic, activity-based learning.

“Education is more than books — it’s about nurturing the whole child,” says an Education Department official as Gujarat pioneers a unique step under NEP 2022.

“We want children to look forward to Saturdays — not as a break from school, but as a day of joyful learning,” said a senior official from the Gujarat Education Department.

As per the guidelines issued, students from Class 1 to 8 will attend school without carrying any bags, freeing them from academic load once a week. Instead of textbooks, the day will involve yoga sessions, physical activities, storytelling, arts, crafts, group discussions, and interactive assemblies designed to enhance creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills.

“The objective of Bagless Day is to ensure that education goes beyond classrooms and textbooks. Activities will be curated to build physical, emotional, and intellectual strength in students,” added the official.

Precedent in practice: While several private and government schools across Gujarat had already been observing ‘Bagless Day’ voluntarily once a week or month, this new state-wide mandate ensures uniformity and wider reach, particularly benefiting rural and government-run schools.

Each school will tailor its own activity plan under guidance from district-level education committees. The Education Department has clarified that activities like unit tests or academic evaluations, if scheduled, will be adjusted to ensure they do not disrupt the spirit of ‘Happy Saturday’.

“This is a revolutionary approach to remove the monotony from learning and bring a sense of joy into the schooling experience,” said Nisha Trivedi, a primary school teacher from Surat. “It allows us to connect with students beyond syllabus and tests.”

This initiative, inspired by the holistic vision of the NEP, also seeks to relieve the mental burden on children, address health issues caused by heavy bags, and provide space for skills that are often ignored in conventional classrooms.