I REFER to the article headlined, 'Students hope to bag lighter school load' (South China Morning Post, August 30). I sympathise with both primary and secondary school students. Teachers are primarily responsible for pupils having a heavy load of school-bags. A considerable percentage of students, especially primary school students, carries all their textbooks to and from schools every day, fearing that if they forget a single book or a piece of homework, they will be punished by teachers. The person who claims he does not dread teachers' punishment is lying. Teachers should tell students what books are needed the following day, so that the students can know what to bring and what to leave at home. Many schools are short of space. It is the Government's responsibility to provide schools with additional storage facilities. If the Government does not take real action, many students may end up with back injuries which will impede their growth. Both the Government and schools should accept responsibility, because the Government designs so many textbooks and exercise books, and the schools give out the homework. TSANG KIN-YIP Quarry Bay
