All eyes on textbook distribution in Kashmir schools

Srinagar Dec 6: The focus has shifted to the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) for timely the timely distribution of textbooks to the students following the announcement of winter vacation.

The issue has come to limelight as the J&K government this year restored the previous November-December academic session following which the students will directly start the new classes post winter vacations.

Stakeholders, including teachers and parents, have voiced their concerns, citing their past experiences wherein the process of book distribution was delayed for unknown reasons in schools across Kashmir.

This year after the schools reopened in Mach, there was an inordinate delay in the distribution of the textbooks in schools leaving students at the receiving end.

Citing past experiences, the school teachers are again apprehensive of delay in receiving textbooks in schools from JKBOSE.

"We have experienced in past as well. The textbooks never reach schools on time. Even if textbooks reach the schools, the students never receive complete set of textbooks as two to three textbooks always remain pending," a school teacher from Baramulla told Greater Kashmir.

The teachers said in 2025, the student will directly join the new classes and the schools should receive the textbooks in advance. "The department must have taken up the matter with the JKBOSE officials to ensure timely distribution of textbooks because delay in receiving books proves costly for the students," the school teacher said.

As already reported the two-year term of incumbent Chairman JK Board of School Education (BOSE) is nearing end and the JKBOSE should have a new chairman in place so that the process of printing and distribution of textbooks does not face any delays.

The incumbent chairman Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas was appointed as the Chairman JKBOSE on January 25 of 2023 on deputation basis for a period of two years. As per the order, his appointment came into effect "from the date of the issuance of the notification of his appointment." As per set norms, the incumbent chairman will demit his office on January 25 of 2025.

"Two years ago, there was a delay in distribution of textbooks to schools because there was no permanent chairman in place in JKBOSE for few months during winters. The winter months remain crucial as far as the printing and distribution besides other process with regard to the textbooks is concerned," a senior JKBOSE official said.

Amid the apprehensions of delay in distribution of textbooks, the JKBOSE officials said the process for printing of textbooks was started prior to the government announcement for restoration of November session in schools.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Academics JKBOSE Dr Sudhir Singh said the JKBOSE was already on track to ensure timely distribution of textbooks with the reopening of the schools post winter vacation.

"The formal announcement to restore November session was made less than a month ago but we had started the process for printing of textbooks before that. We start the process in July month because printing of textbooks goes through many phases," Director Academics JKBOSE told Greater Kashmir.

He said that some of the textbooks were already printed as the orders were placed on time due to which the printing of textbooks has started.

"We always remain ready. Because textbooks go through different process including review of content and other process. We also keep in mind the areas which remain blocked due to snowfall and we try to send the textbooks to these snow bound areas on time," Dr. Sudhir Singh said.

The Director Academics assured that there will be no delay in distribution of textbooks to schools.