Books shortage imperils education of students

Sindh Text Book Board’s printing process for textbooks started several months behind schedule

KARACHI:

Like the past, government schools in Sindh once again face an acute shortage of textbooks, imperiling the educational future of over 11.6 million students. The delay in printing free textbooks has triggered widespread concern as students and parents struggle to find essential course materials.

The Sindh Textbook Board's printing process for free textbooks started several months behind schedule this year, as per credible sources. Shockingly, textbooks for difference classes, including second, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth, and intermediate levels, are either unavailable or incomplete in the market. Last year's editions continue to be sold in the market because publishers have failed to meet deadlines. Sajid Yusuf, Chairman of the Urdu Bazaar Traders Association, stressed that the absence of textbooks jeopardises the educational future of millions of students. He particularly referred to shortages in crucial subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and English.

Yusuf criticised the distribution system, pointing out that the tender for free textbooks was issued as late as June, severely delaying their availability. On the contrary, textbooks for private schools are expected to be in the market by August.

Khalid Aziz, Chairman of the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, blamed the Sindh Textbook Board for negligence, saying that despite a substantial budget allocation of Rs6billion, not a single book has reached government schools. When approached, officials from the Sindh Textbook Board did not respond to queries about the textbook shortage, further exacerbating concerns among students, parents, and educators alike.

The issue has sparked frustration among stakeholders, including shopkeepers at Urdu Bazaar, who lamented decades of similar delays in textbook availability. They stressed that despite repeated assurances, timely distribution of textbooks remains a persistent challenge which necessitates the need for systemic reforms to ensure timely production, distribution, and availability of educational materials in government schools across the province.