TN govt denies textbook delay, attributes shortages to fresh admissions
Chennai, July 9
The Tamil Nadu School Education Department on Thursday denied reports of delays in the supply of textbooks to government schools, stating that any shortages reported in some institutions were due to fresh student admissions after the start of the academic year and not because of lapses in printing or distribution.
The clarification came amid reports that several government schools across Tamil Nadu, particularly those with Classes IV and V, were yet to receive the required textbooks.
Teachers in many schools had also raised concerns over the delay in receiving teacher handbooks meant to help them implement the revised curriculum introduced this year for students in Classes I to III.
Responding to these concerns, the department said textbook printing and supply had been carried out well in advance based on the student enrolment figures submitted by schools before the start of the academic year.
However, it said the admission of a large number of additional students after schools reopened created an unexpected increase in demand for textbooks.
According to the department, nearly 80,000 additional textbooks were required to meet the needs of these newly admitted students.
It said immediate steps were taken to print the extra copies and distribute them across the State. "The printing and supply of the additional quantity have now been completed, and the distribution process to the concerned schools is in its final stage," the department said.
Officials added that the supplementary supply also includes the required workbooks, ensuring that students admitted after the academic session began receive the complete set of learning materials without any disadvantage.
The department maintained that the revised demand had been addressed promptly and that all eligible students would soon receive the necessary textbooks and workbooks.
Reiterating its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted learning, the School Education Department said the textbook distribution exercise had been planned based on enrolment data available before the academic year and that any subsequent shortages were solely attributable to the increase in admissions after reopening.
It stressed that there had been no delay in printing or the initial supply of textbooks and assured that the distribution process would be completed shortly, ensuring that every student has access to the prescribed learning materials.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good that the department is trying to address the shortage quickly, but why don't they keep a buffer stock of textbooks every year? Fresh admissions happen everywhere, not just in TN. A little foresight can save our kids from losing weeks of learning. My daughter in Class IV in Chennai govt school just got her books yesterday—some relief at last.
As someone from the US who works in education, I find it interesting that India still has such centralized textbook distribution. In my district in California, schools order their own books based on enrollment. But I guess with the scale here, it's tough. Hopefully, the 80,000 extra books arrived on time. Good to see the department being transparent.
Typical government response—deny first, then admit there was a problem. 'No delays' but teachers and parents have been complaining for weeks. The revised curriculum for Classes I-III needs teacher handbooks urgently; those teachers are struggling without guidance. Hope the department takes this as a lesson and prints extra copies before next June itself. 😠
I'm a parent of a Class V student in a Salem govt school. We finally got the textbooks last week, but for a month my son was sharing with his friend. Not ideal for learning. The department should have planned for late enrolments—it's not like admissions happen overnight. Still, kudos to the teachers who managed without handbooks initially. Real heroes.
I'm visiting Chennai from the UK and reading about this. In England, schools have digital
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