JOIN USYear goes by, Corpn fails to give notebooks to kids
Students without notebooks in schools is a difficult thing to imagine. But it has become a reality in primary schools of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. Even as the current academic session has come to an end, the North Corporation failed to distribute notebooks to even a single student in its primary schools.
The North Corporation runs 788 primary schools, which enrol 4.5 lakh students. On an average, each student gets six notebooks in an academic year, depending on the grade.
“The tendering process of the notebooks got delayed due to trifurcation. Notebooks for three zones have been procured. But they will be distributed to students only after we get the sample testing report,” education director Nedu Chezian told the North Corporation standing committee on Friday.
The issue was raised in the standing committee by leader of opposition Mukesh Goel. “It speaks volumes about the way the corporation is functioning. The academic session has come to an end. Exams are over and students are waiting for their results, but notebooks are yet to be distributed,” said Goel.
“Not only notebooks, the corporation has failed to provide students uniform on time. Several schools are yet to get desks too,” he added.
All the three municipal corporations provide free education, apart from giving textbooks, notebooks and school uniforms to students. But the process got delayed in all the three corporations after MCD was trifurcated.
Second hand books
Students in North Corporation schools got second hand books in July last year. The books were collected from senior students and given to those studying in the junior grade, sources said, reports DHNS.
Chandolia, however, said books have been distributed to all students. “New books have been distributed in all schools. But the process was delayed as the Delhi government failed to supply them on time,” said Gupta.
The deliberative wing of the North Corporation is blaming the executive wing for the lapse.
“The fault is with the executive wing. It has failed to discharge its duties. For every delay and lapse, it puts the blame on trifurcation,” said education committee chairperson Rekha Gupta.
According to North Corporation officers, they will ensure that notebooks are given to all students as soon as the new session begins in April.
“The officials have also been directed to compensate students by giving extra notebooks,” said standing committee chairperson Yogendra Chandolia.