ISLAMABAD: School students in Islamabad are yet to receive free textbooks though the new academic year has entered its fourth month.
The National Book Foundation responsible for providing books to the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has been demanding Rs55 million to complete delivery, it is learnt.
A teacher in Tarnol Zone said: “Every year most books are provided when it is too late. As they are supplied by the Education Department, no private publisher in interested.
“If books are not supplied by the government, they could not be purchased from the open market and students suffer,” he added.
Class VII students have received only English, Islamic studies and drawing books and others are yet to be delivered.
Students of class VIII have only got maths and English books, while those in Class IX have received only physics, computer science and Islamic studies compulsory books.
And Class X students have received only physics and biology books and have been waiting for chemistry, social studies, Urdu, computer sciences and English books.
Students of Class X (Humanities Group) have only received Islamic studies, elective, civics and general science books, he said.
According to sources, as a procedure, it is the responsibility of the FDE to deliver textbooks to students before the start of an academic year but most of the time it fails.
An FDE officer said one reason for the delay is red-tape. “The FDE places order late and the Finance Department pays late,” he said.
Parents suggest that either textbooks should be provided in time or incentives should be given to students such as free transportation or fees for student fund, sport fund or miscellaneous charges be waived. Internews
