Why are Malaysian pupils still burdened with heavy school bags?

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Malaysian pupils still carry heavy school bags because physical textbooks remain the default in most schools, while digital options like DELIMa are still supplementary

Malaysian pupils in national schools are still burdened with heavy school bags because they are required to bring a substantial number of physical books to school almost every day, including from as early as Standard 1. The only major government-facing digital initiative mentioned is DELIMa, which offers hundreds of digital textbooks and other resources, but it is only a supplementary or optional resource for most primary and secondary schools. As a result, students continue to lug physical bags alongside the availability of digital learning materials.
DELIMa is available, but it is not the main replacement for textbooks
DELIMa, the Ministry of Education digital learning portal, provides access to hundreds of digital textbooks plus other resources such as interactive modules, videos, and partner tools from companies including Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Even so, it functions as a supplementary or optional resource for most primary and secondary schools rather than a full substitute for the textbooks students must physically carry. That arrangement leaves physical books as the everyday requirement in classrooms.
Students still have to bring many physical books daily
The scale of the requirement for physical books is described as substantial for national school students from Standard 1, with some children’s bags compared to hauling luggage for long trips. The practical outcome is that students still need to carry backpack-like bags to school almost every day. This continued routine means the burden does not disappear simply because digital textbooks exist online.
The case for digital formats has been raised for years
The issue of keeping textbooks in a physical form is questioned through past proposals, including an idea from marketing author Seth Godin more than a decade ago to provide PDF versions that can be updated as needed. The discussion also points to the growth of video lessons, interactive learning websites, and educational games, raising the question of whether large physical textbooks are still necessary. In that context, the persistence of heavy bags is framed as a mismatch with the broader shift toward digital learning formats.
Print-and-waste cycles add pressure to keep physical books in circulation
The discussion also highlights wastage tied to printing new copies year after year, describing thousands of new copies of the same books that are then discarded after final exams. It frames this as an external cost borne by society while book-sellers benefit from repeated printing cycles. That backdrop reinforces why physical textbooks remain entrenched in day-to-day school practices, even as digital access exists through DELIMa.

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Why are Malaysian pupils still burdened with heavy school bags?

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