Winnipeg high school’s backpack rule prompts student pushback

A backpack policy change is proving controversial inside a Winnipeg high school. Danton Unger explains.

A pre-pandemic backpack policy returning to a Winnipeg high school is proving to be controversial, as hundreds of students have decided to fight against it.

Earlier this week, students at Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate say they were told they’re no longer allowed to bring backpacks with them to class due to safety concerns.

“The principal said the reason was a safety hazard because of having the straps sticking out from underneath our desks or something, so it could trip somebody,” said Grade 9 student William. “I wasn’t really happy about it, because I like to carry my personal items around with me.”

William isn’t alone.

“It sucks because I have three binders that I need to carry, and I just can’t carry all of them at once,” said his friend Dallas, who is also in Grade 9.

Principal George Valentim told CTV News in a statement the change is a return to a pre-pandemic practice. During the COVID days, he said students weren’t assigned lockers and instead had to carry their belongings with them to class.

Now, staff are encouraging students to leave their jackets and backpacks in their lockers.

“…Educators have noticed that backpacks and jackets are creating tripping and slipping hazards respectively, blocking walkways, and creating the potential for distraction during class time,” Valentim wrote in the statement.

“While we appreciate student concerns regarding locker use, our efforts are geared towards creating a safe, organized, and distraction-free learning environment.”

But that isn’t sitting well with some students.

“It’s pretty stupid,” said Grade 11 student Matthijs. “I think it’s unreasonable. There’s no problems with the backpacks in the classrooms in the first place.”

He’s one of more than 400 students at the school who have signed a petition online calling for the school to bring back student backpacks. Some students wrote out their disdain for the so-called ‘backpack ban’ in typical teenage fashion.

“This is bunk,” one student wrote.

“This rule is so buns,” another said. (Buns means bad, by the way.)

Valentim said purses, fanny packs, and other compact bags needed to store essential belongings are allowed, “provided they do not clutter or block walkways.”

He said the school will be providing further information to students about the details and rationale for the change and said he welcomes their continued feedback.