HASSAN: Despite assurances from the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Ramalinga Reddy, that textbooks will be supplied to students on the day of reopening of schools, many students in aided and unaided schools in the district have not received textbooks even after the schools reopened over 20 days ago.

According to sources in the office of Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), of the 3,319 primary and high schools in the district, the number of aided and unaided schools is 495. While 2,17,189 children studying in government schools received textbooks and uniforms on the day of reopening of the schools, 79,571 children studying in aided and unaided schools in the district have not received textbooks so far. Many students have borrowed textbooks from their seniors as they have to appear for the first trimester examinations in August.

While the Department of Education has sent a requisition for the supply of 8,41,745 textbooks to distribute among children studying in government schools, till date it received 8,39,345 textbooks and is yet to receive 2,400 copies, the sources said. However, children studying in aided and unaided schools are facing problem due to non-availability of books. This has created anxiety among the parents as well as school administration and they are blaming the Government for this.

The Principal of the United Academy of Education told The Hindu that, though the teachers are managing with a few subjects such as mathematics, science and social studies, they are finding it difficult to teach the languages. When the school administration contacted private textbook publishers in Bangalore, they reportedly learnt that the increase in the price of paper is the reason for not printing sufficient number of textbooks. The publishers have assured them of supplying textbooks by December-end.

The same is the situation in other aided and unaided schools across the district. A teacher of Vijaya School said that they have requested the students to borrow textbooks from their seniors till they get the supply.

Interestingly, private booksellers are blaming the managements of private schools for the problem. A bookseller, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the school managements have taken the responsibility of providing textbooks, notebooks, uniforms and bags to students after collecting a consolidated amount from their parents.

In view of this, private booksellers have decided against taking risk and have not placed orders for textbooks. It is the responsibility of private managements which have placed "bulk" orders, to supply textbooks, he said.

"How can we prepare the children to take up trimester examination which should be conducted in August? It is difficult to teach lessons without textbooks," a teacher of Aravinda School of Education said.

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