As the petition has exceeded 20,000 signatures it becomes com-pulsory for it to be debated in parliament.
The petition was launched by a journalist, an actor and two doctors, who argue the size and weight of young children’s school backpacks is too much for them. It aims to establish a legal weight for schoolbags.
Burgeoning backpacks have long been an issue in Portugal and specialists have long been issuing warnings and campaigns to reduce the ill effects of burgeoning bags on young children.
The petition ‘Contra o peso excessivo das mochilas escolares’ reached 15,000 signatures in three weeks. A further 12,000 signatures made it obligatory to be legislated in Parliament.
A study compiled by consumer rights watchdog Deco and defence magazine Proteste found that more than half of 5th and 6th year pupils carry too much weight on their backs in their satchels.
Schoolbags from 360 children from 14 public and private schools were weighed and the study found that over half (53 percent) lugged weights above what is recommended by the World Health Organisation, or over ten percent of the child’s own bodyweight.
One of the most dramatic situations, the study revealed, was the case of an 11-year-old child weighing 32 kilos who had to carry a bag that at times weighed ten kilos, when the recommended maximum should be 3.2 kilos.
The same study found that 61 percent of 10-year-old students had to carry bags that were too heavy for them, as did 44 percent of 12-year-olds.
According to Portuguese actor José Wallenstein, one of the authors of the petition, “it is scientifically proven that so much weight causes problems for children and teenagers’ posture (...) politicians must take responsibility.”
The petition’s mission statement argues: “Today’s children are the professionals of tomorrow. Children who carry very heavy backpacks today have early problems with the spine, the most common of which are known as lumbar hyperlordosis, thoracic hyperkinesias, scoliosis, and herniated discs, among others.”