Education: Kids have more in their school bag than I have in my apartment!

A report in today's Sydney Morning Herald reveals some students are carrying up to $4500 worth of equipment each day in their backpacks.

Mobile phones and portable music players such as iPods are often standard items.

Many schools are now running laptop-based classes, so it is not unusual for students to carry laptops in their bag. I know that in one well known school, it is compulsory for every pupil to have a laptop computer.

Personal organisers such as PalmPilots, portable game consoles and digital cameras are also common.

Some schools have strict rules on iPods, while others are more realistic and adopt a more relaxed approach.

Gone are the days when all I carried was a few books and lots of essentials - such as catapults and the National Geographic!