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Midesk Backpack Faces Criticism for Potential Risks to South African Children
The Midesk backpack, designed to provide mobile desks for South Africa’s under-resourced schools, may be more of a hazard than a solution for the three million children without desks.
South Africa’s education system is grappling with overcrowded classrooms, where the national learner-to-teacher ratio (LER) is 33:1. In some schools, the ratio exceeds 50:1, and the bulky mobile backpack design could exacerbate the challenges of navigating crowded classrooms and hallways.
Mrs. Kefilwe Mojapelo, a private psychosocial well-being and social worker, expressed concern about the backpacks, which have been marketed as corporate donations to impoverished schools. Mojapelo warned that the detachable legs of the desks could become weapons in the midst of increasing violence in schools.
“There are potential tripping hazards, especially in classrooms or hallways,” Mojapelo explained. “This could disrupt the free movement and spirit of students who want to move around freely.”
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Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube and Phiwokuhle Mnyandu of MiDesk Global also voiced concerns about the practicality of the design. Mnyandu posted on X, “Terrible idea. I doubt anyone in the picture would have their child carry their desk to school instead of a book bag. Using an adult model for demonstration highlights how impractical this looks for young learners.”
Mojapelo added that the design may not be ergonomic for children, potentially causing back and spine strain due to its weight and shape. Over time, this could lead to poor posture, discomfort, and physical injuries.
The weight of the backpack and desk components could also pose challenges for children commuting via public transport in congested areas. Mojapelo pointed out that the backpacks may collapse or tip over, resulting in serious injuries.
In regions like the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, the lack of infrastructure adds to the challenges, with potholes and gravel roads still common, forcing children to walk on grassy, uneven paths.
Dr. Farana Boodhram, founder of MiDesk Global, defended the backpacks, stating that they are designed to bridge the educational inequality gap in Africa. The backpacks come in two sizes, one for younger children and another for older students, and are designed to last 12 years. Dr. Boodhram claimed that the weight of the backpacks is 2 kg and that the chair could support weights up to 180 kg.
However, Minister Gwarube confirmed that more than two million pieces of school equipment, including desks and chairs, are still missing, particularly in government-run schools.
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