Testing time for schools as textbooks fail to arrive

Schools will receive the textbooks for class V and class VIII  by June 10.

The State government has introduced a new curriculum on a par with the NCERT syllabus this year.
“We have sent the core subject books for class V and class VIII for printing. The delay is  because the lessons for both first and second semesters have been combined in a single book for each of the subjects. Schools will receive these books by June 10,” Textbook Society coordinator Mudambadithaya told Deccan Herald. Some schools have not yet received even the class IX and X textbooks, the syllabi for which have remained unchanged.

“These books have already been sent to the respective block education offices (BEOs) and schools may collect the books from there. There is no shortage of books,” he said. The government has printed 1.14 crore textbooks for students across the State, from class I to X.

On the other hand, the schools, especially the ones that reopened two weeks ago for the new academic year, have been left in the lurch over the past few days as they are forced to conduct classes without textbooks.

“We were assured that we would receive the books by the end of May. When the department expects us to follow the rules prescribed by them, it should keep its word,” said Harini, principal of Geeta Education Society. Schools usually place orders for textbooks by July every year, for the next academic year. Yet, they end up getting the books late.

While last year, the quality of second language English textbook for class V was not up to the mark, this year the textbooks are complicated for Kannada medium students, she said.  

Hemaa Narayan, principal of Sudarshan Vidya Mandir Institutions, said her school had not received the textbooks for class IX and X yet. The school has only received a few textbooks for class V. 

“The new social science textbooks could have concentrated more on world history apart from lessons on Indian history. Also, students study civics, including electoral provisions, without actually realising their significance. The textbooks could have given more information on such topics,” she opines.

Mariam Nilaya Convent is another school still awaiting textbooks. A few of the textbooks for class VII that have been received are damaged, said Sister Rose Mary, principal of the school.

“When we went to collect the textbooks we were told that they were out of print,” she told Deccan Herald. Many schools are conducting bridge courses till the textbooks arrive. Schools hope the textbooks will reach them before the first unit test which will be held by the end of June. A few schools have been asking students to share last year’s textbooks available in the school.

On a positive note, Padmini S, principal of RV Girls’ High School, feels the English textbook for class VIII has been compiled well. “Teachers have to update themselves and we are looking forward to training sessions conducted by the government,” she said.