New practical textbooks still unavailable

Delays in publishing of lab guides for pure science subjects halted academic progress of college students

KARACHI:

Just as before, the Sindh Textbook Board continues its notorious tradition of delaying the publication of school and college textbooks. This year too, despite a four-month delay at the beginning of the academic session, the practical textbooks for several pure science subjects are still unavailable for college students.

Although a limited number of theory books were released, the unavailability of practical books for Biology, Botany and Physics has delayed the commencement of practical lab classes. As a result, outdated syllabus is being used for lab work in some colleges where practical classes are being conducted, while at other colleges practical instruction has not been started at all.

A college teacher, who is also a leader of the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) Karachi Region mentioned that the new practical books for nearly all subjects have not been printed this year. "Although the issue of the availability of theory books has somewhat been resolved, practical classes have still not started in colleges," claimed the teacher.

Another professor from the Department of Botany at a government college revealed that recently, a presentation for teachers called the "Botany Circle" was organised but the second-year theory and practical syllabus was not discussed because the new practical books were not available after the curriculum change.

Reportedly, the Sindh Textbook Board, Jamshoro, had issued a notification on September 5, addressing all college directors and board chairpersons, that the board had prepared and published new practical textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Botany, which are to be used during the 2024/25 academic session. The next day, on September 6, the Karachi Higher Secondary Education Board also issued a circular to all public and private colleges, referring to the Sindh Textbook Board's notification and instructing that the specified textbooks will be used for teaching and examinations this year.

According to Sajid Yusuf, President of the Urdu Bazaar Association, the practical books for Chemistry have arrived but the books for Physics and Biology have still not been provided. "Even the available books are fewer than the demand, and students and parents often leave empty-handed after inquiring about them," confirmed Yusuf.

Zarina Rashid, the Acting Examination Controller, acknowledged the unavailability of practical textbooks. "We will hold a meeting of the curriculum committee at the end of October. If the books have not reached the students by then, the committee may decide to conduct practical exams based on the old syllabus, for which a separate notification shall be issued," assured Rashid.

It is worth mentioning that some registered publishers of the Sindh Textbook Board had gone to court due to internal disagreements and their cases are still pending in court. As a result, tenders for the printing of books were issued not once, but thrice, causing delays in the printing process. Consequently, the session of the academic year 2024/25, which was supposed to start on April 15, was postponed to August 1 and then to August 15.

When The Express Tribune reached out to the Chairman of the Sindh Textbook Board, Aleem Lashari, for his stance on the matter, Lashari maintained that all practical books had been distributed to the market and that he will recheck and confirm later. However, no response was received from him despite a reminder.