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
