Latest news with #WoodlemSchools
UAE Moments
a day ago
- Health
- UAE Moments
UAE Schools Ditch Trolley Bags Over Health & Safety Concerns
Parents at several institutions have received circulars advising against wheeled bags for the upcoming academic year, with educators and health experts citing safety, practicality, and physical wellbeing as top concerns. From Trendy to Troublesome While trolley bags are seen by many as a convenient choice, some UAE schools argue they're more trouble than they're worth. At Woodlem Schools, the ban is all about student safety. 'The removal of trolley bags across Woodlem Schools is a student-centered initiative aimed primarily at safeguarding students' health and wellbeing," said Noufal Ahmed, Managing Director at Woodlem Education. Ahmed pointed to multiple problems: the strain of dragging the bags, students tripping on stairs, noisy disruptions, and classroom congestion. 'Trolley bags also contribute to clutter in classrooms, increasing the risk of tripping inside the classroom, too,' he added. Instead, the school is boosting its BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy and encouraging digital learning to cut down on heavy books. With lockers provided on campus, students are urged to carry only the essentials in ergonomic, lightweight backpacks. One Size Doesn't Fit All At Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, the rules vary by age group. 'We recommend that students in Foundation Stage and Upper Primary use trolley bags, as their shoulders are still developing and carrying heavy loads could strain their spine and body,' a school representative explained. 'For middle and senior school students, backpacks are more suitable. We advise students to pack their bags according to the timetable to keep the overall weight below eight kilograms.' Doctors Are on Board Health professionals across the Emirates are echoing the schools' concerns, emphasizing that trolley bags may not be as safe as parents think. 'While trolley bags may reduce direct pressure on the back, they are not necessarily safe,' said Dr. Amr El Zawahry, Consultant Pediatrician at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital. 'Tripping hazards are a major concern. Manoeuvring trolley bags in such settings can also lead to wrist and shoulder strain.' He added that students often end up lifting the bags over curbs and stairs, which increases the risk of injury — essentially defeating the point of having wheels. Dr. Maleeha Rafiq, Consultant Paediatrics at NMC Royal Hospital, also warned against misuse. 'Children often use them incorrectly, which can lead to uneven muscle strain, altered walking patterns, and even spinal misalignment,' she said. She added that the oversized nature of trolley bags creates practical issues too: 'They can easily trip other students... and the larger size makes them harder to store neatly in classrooms or buses. Besides, the wheels can be noisy and disruptive.' The Bigger Picture Last August, Abu Dhabi authorities reminded schools that backpacks should not exceed 20% of a student's body weight. Since then, many schools across the UAE have taken steps toward lighter load policies — either by adjusting school bag requirements or implementing tech-friendly alternatives. The takeaway? While a flashy trolley bag might look like a back-to-school win, schools and doctors agree — lighter, smarter, and safer is the way forward.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Some schools ban trolley bags for students; here's why
Several schools across the UAE are advising parents not to send their children with trolley bags for the upcoming academic year, citing health, safety, and practical concerns. Even as families are yet to begin their back-to-school shopping amid the summer break, some parents have received circulars urging them to reconsider their bag choices. Recommended For You Educators and healthcare professionals are urging parents to prioritise safety and smart habits over convenience or trends when choosing a school bag. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. This isn't the first time schools have addressed school bag concerns. In August last year, Abu Dhabi authorities reminded institutions that a student's backpack should not exceed 20 per cent of their body weight. Since then, a growing number of schools across the Emirates have moved to implement lighter bag policies and age-specific weight guidelines to minimise the physical strain on students. Safety before convenience At the heart of this shift is a focus on student wellbeing. 'The removal of trolley bags across Woodlem Schools is a student-centered initiative aimed primarily at safeguarding students' health and wellbeing," said Noufal Ahmed, managing director at Woodlem Education. He cited multiple issues with trolley bags, including physical strain from dragging them, tripping hazards on stairs, and excessive noise. "Trolley bags also contribute to congestion and clutter in classrooms, increasing the risk of tripping inside the classroom, too," he added. To ease the burden, Woodlem Schools are reinforcing their BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy and e-learning platforms to reduce reliance on heavy textbooks. With lockers available on campus, students are encouraged to bring only the essentials in lightweight, ergonomic backpacks. Meanwhile, Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi takes a more age-specific approach. 'We recommend that students in Foundation Stage and Upper Primary use trolley bags, as their shoulders are still developing and carrying heavy loads could strain their spine and body. "For middle and senior school students, backpacks are more suitable. We advise students to pack their bags according to the timetable to keep the overall weight below eight for older students," she explained. Injury risks Healthcare experts across the UAE are backing schools' concerns, warning that trolley bags aren't as safe as many assume. 'While trolley bags may reduce direct pressure on the back, they are not necessarily safe. Tripping hazards are a major concern. Manoeuvring trolley bags in such settings can also lead to wrist and shoulder strain. In many cases, children end up carrying trolley bags up steps or over curbs, defeating the purpose and increasing injury risk," explained Dr Amr El Zawahry, Consultant Pediatrician at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital. He emphasised that the solution lies not just in choosing the right type of ergonomically appropriate bag, but also in reducing what goes inside — by using lockers, digital textbooks, or lighter materials. Dr Maleeha Rafiq, consultant paediatrics at NMC Royal Hospital, added that poor usage of trolley bags could result in a range of musculoskeletal issues. She advises that parents and schools not only focus on the type of bag, but also on how it's used, how much it carries, and how it fits the child's daily school environment. 'Children often use them incorrectly, which can lead to uneven muscle strain, altered walking patterns, and even spinal misalignment,' she said. "Trolley bags can easily trip other students... and the larger size makes them harder to store neatly in classrooms or buses. Besides, the wheels can be noisy and disruptive, and the larger size of trolley bags makes them harder to store neatly in classrooms or buses," she added. nandini@ Nandini Sircar has a penchant for education, space, and women's narratives. She views the world through a prism of learning: whether it's the earthly pursuit of wisdom or the unearthly mysteries of space. In her written universe, women and children take centre stage.
