Schools reopen, children yet to get textbooks, uniforms

Even after two months of reopening, most of the primary and high school students in the district are yet to get textbooks, uniforms, shoes and bicycles for the current academic year.

With a change in syllabus this year, printing has been delayed and textbooks are still being dispatched in phases to the schools. According to sources however, only 14% of the textbooks have to be supplied to the schools.

An official of the department of Public Instruction told DH that priority has been given for supplying textbooks to 10th standard students. The pending textbooks would be supplied by the end of this month, he said.

“Though the syllabus has been changed, a few chapters from the old syllabus have been retained in the new syllabus to enable teachers to continue with classes. With all the lessons available on the website, teachers are not finding it difficult. About 89% of the books for free distribution and 78% to be sold in retail have been dispatched,” he said.

‘Uniform’ problem
Most of the students have complained about improper measurement of uniforms supplied. The contract to supply uniforms to the schools across the state has been given to a Rajasthan-based company.

“The measurements have been categorised according to the classes, that is, 1st to 4th standard; 5th to 8th and 9th to 10th. Confusions have occurred during the packing and distribution. Each student is paid Rs 200 for a set of uniform which is not sufficient,” an SDMC member said.

There are also complaints on the substandard quality of shoes distributed to the students. The government has handed over the responsibility of supplying shoes to the respective schools.

Free bicycles elusive
Except Yalandur, free bicycles have not been distributed in any part of the district. Though assembling of the bicycles has been reported from Hanur, Chamarajanagar and Kollegal, they are yet to be distributed. A Tamil Nadu-based company has bagged the contract.

Samples sought
Following complaints about supply of substandard quality of uniforms in a section of the media, the department of Public Instruction has directed school authorities to send samples of the uniforms. Accordingly, 100 sets of samples have been dispatched.

When contacted, Manjula, Deputy Director for Public Instruction, confirmed that there were problems related to distribution of shoes, uniforms and bicycles in a few schools. Necessary measures are being taken in this regard, she said.