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Shortage of textbooks



The Himalayan Times
19 April 2013
It was not surprising to read the news report “Books shortage hits students in mid-west” (THT, 17 April, Page 6) that becomes one of the prime news on national dailies every year towards the beginning of new session of schools situated in the remote hill districts of Nepal. However, none of the concerned authorities seem(ed) serious. Their gross negligence have been hitting hard to the students who suffer much from not getting the textbooks on time. All the schools and stationery sellers in these districts which are unable to bring and provide textbooks to their students on time do seem equally responsible for not being responsible.

The actual demand of the textbooks in the districts is 3.7 million, whereas, so far, only 1.1 million books have reached 10 districts of Rapti and Bheri Zones. The other districts of Banke and Dang are yet to purchase the textbooks from the regional office of Janak Education Materials Centre (JEMC) Ltd. Why don’t the concerned DEOs act in such a manner as to ensure that the textbooks are reached the hands of students at the beginning of every new session? Why don’t the concerned schools become serious about ensuring that all the booksellers purchase the books from regional offices of JEMC early?

If the textbooks are not provided on time, there will be, for sure, panic among the students that could generate tremendous mental pressure on them triggering their tender minds towards frustration. Imparting school level education without proper textbooks in the hands of students does mean gross negligence and irresponsible acts of all the concerned authorities who have been mandated for imparting quality education.

Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

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