Andhra Pradesh - Srikakulam   

No textbooks yet for many schools

R. Jagadeeswara Rao

17 lakh books have so far been distributed

Srikakulam: Though it is 10 days since schools have re-opened after summer vacations, textbooks have not reached a number of schools in the district till date. The problem is acute in case of textbooks for English medium schools.

While the supply to government schools, all Telugu medium, will have to be ensured by the District Educational Officer, the same will be done by a contractor in case of English medium schools.

According to authorities concerned, as many as 25 lakh textbooks (for classes one to 10) are required for schools in the district. The requirement for English medium schools is some 12 lakhs.

According to DEO Jaleel Saheb, as on Wednesday, nearly 17 lakh textbooks have already been distributed to various schools. Distribution to the remaining schools will be completed by Saturday.

However, it is not clear how distribution could be completed in a couple of days. Sources have pointed out that the delay is on the part of the government which, knowing fully well that schools will reopen on June 12, has not supplied the required textbooks in time.

Textbooks would have to reach godowns at the district level from where they would be sent to the mandal headquarters to be picked up the headmasters of schools. The whole process would take time. The assertion of officials concerned notwithstanding, distribution of textbooks might take some more time. And what do the teachers and students do in schools without textbooks is anybody’s guess.

According to Mr. Jaleel Saheb, so far only three lakh textbooks had been supplied to English medium schools in the district. The appointed contractor is yet to get the required books from the Government. The DEO said that he would instruct the contractor to expedite distribution of textbooks to English medium schools.

Meanwhile Joint Collector M. Veerabrahmaiah who visited the textbooks godown and reviewed distribution on Tuesday, instructed the DEO to complete the whole process by Saturday.

No transport charges should be collected from students. If required, funds from the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan could be spent for transport charges, the Joint Collector said.

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