Surprise Bag Checks in Schools Uncover Disturbing Items, Reflecting Deeper Student Struggles

When schoolbags are opened, they often reveal much more than just books and stationery. Recent unannounced bag inspections across several schools in Ahmedabad have uncovered a troubling array of items, shedding light on the complex and sometimes hidden challenges students face today. Following a tragic stabbing incident involving a student at Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Higher Secondary School, educational institutions in the city have ramped up their vigilance, hoping to make campuses safer and understand what young learners are carrying with them beyond their lessons.

One school principal expressed deep concern over the discoveries. “It’s unsettling to see what students bring to school nowadays. Along with the usual textbooks and lunchboxes, we found mobile phones, tablets, lighters, cigarettes, vapes, and shockingly, even alcohol concealed in water bottles,” they said.

Other schools reported equally surprising finds. “Our checks revealed items such as whiteners, lipsticks, kajal, nail files, deodorants, contraceptive pills, condoms, and even extra clothes and shoes,” shared another principal.

Sharp objects have also been turning up in these inspections. Blades, paper cutters, and chains were found in some bags, prompting certain schools to ban scissors and rounders outright in the wake of the SDA incident.

Teachers emphasize that the responsibility to monitor what students bring lies heavily with parents. “If parents don’t receive a written permission request from the school for specific items, they should refrain from sending them,” a teacher advised.

These surprise bag checks have also led to the confiscation of various other belongings—playing cards, novels with mature content, expensive pens, flashy jewelry, journals, and cash amounts exceeding the allowed Rs 100-200 limit. “Parents are promptly informed when items are seized, and the belongings are returned during parent-teacher meetings. However, some parents admit that their children often ignore their guidance,” one principal remarked.

Interestingly, some parents seem unbothered by the discovery of adult-themed books, considering them a natural part of growing up. A teacher shared, “A few parents even seem okay with these ‘adult books’ being found.”

While some parents encourage students to carry mobile phones to stay in touch during tuition, schools take any discovery of drugs or weapons very seriously, escalating such cases to district education authorities or the police.

“We focus mainly on counseling rather than punishment. Punishing doesn’t always help because the environment these children grow up in heavily influences their choices,” explained a principal. “If a student is carrying a blade or a romantic novel, we first try to understand their reasons before deciding on the next steps.”

Another unexpected revelation has been the presence of imported energy drinks, which students reportedly use as currency for trading. An administrator, speaking anonymously, described, “These drinks sneak into school in water bottles and become part of a barter system. Students trade sips in exchange for favors like completing homework, project help, or securing preferred classroom seats.”

A principal noted that bag inspections only scratch the surface. “What children carry reflects their lives outside school—their homes, what they see on screens, and the streets they walk. Schools can only confiscate items; the real work lies in helping students understand the reasons behind carrying these things.”

Psychologists and counselors point to peer pressure and media as key factors driving these behaviors. Dr. Prashant Bhimani told us, “Peer influence is powerful. When one student brings something, others often follow. Popular culture, especially K-pop and web series, normalizes adult behaviors that teens want to imitate.”

Counselor Smita Ghosh highlighted the impact of violent content seen on OTT platforms. “Many children start believing that they need blades, paper cutters, or chains for self-defense, thinking such behavior is normal. The home environment also plays a big role, especially if addictive substances are easily accessible. Children come to see these substances as a part of everyday life.”

These findings reveal much more than a list of prohibited or surprising items—they uncover the emotional, social, and environmental pressures students grapple with daily. Their bags become a silent testimony to their struggles, curiosities, and sometimes, their vulnerabilities.