PATNA: It’s more than a fortnight since the new school year kicked off in Bihar, but children studying in primary schools are yet to get their textbooks. They are entitled to get free textbooks from the funds allotted to the state education department under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Prior to 2018, the Bihar State Text Book Publishing Corporation (BSTBPC) used to print and supply textbooks to the schools from where children used to collect their books.
But this system changed in 2018 and, instead of delivering books to the students, the education department transfers cash in the bank accounts of students or their guardians for the purchase of textbooks.
However, inordinate delay in the transfer of money to the students’ bank accounts has hindered their study. Last year, the money was transferred to their accounts in September. By that time, the first semester examination was already over. Students had to take the examination without studying the books.
Bihar State TET Teachers’ Association president Amit Vikram said the education department should change this system of transferring money to students’ bank accounts and instead make arrangements of timely delivery of textbooks to them from their respective schools.
He pointed out that at times the money received by parents for purchasing books is spent for other purposes.
