Nearly one-and-a-half months into the new academic session, students studying in government schools are still waiting for their academic textbooks.
With classrooms functioning without essential study material, students, particularly those from economically weaker section who rely entirely on government supply, are now being forced to attend lessons without books, severely impacting their learning at the very start of the session.
Students in several government schools are yet to receive complete sets of textbooks for major subjects, including mathematics, science, social science and physical education. In many schools, studies are continuing through shared, borrowed or old books, leaving students struggling to cope with the syllabus.
Reportedly, textbooks for several classes and subjects are still unavailable. These include mathematics (English medium) for Classes II and III; physical education (English medium) for Classes VI and VIII; social science (English medium) for Class IX; mathematics (Punjabi medium), social science (Hindi medium) and science (Punjabi medium) for Class X; environmental science (Punjabi medium) and political science for Class XI; and computer science (Punjabi medium), social science and general Punjabi for Class XII.
Teachers said the shortage has especially affected board classes, where students are expected to begin serious preparation from the start of the session. "At times, only one or two students in the entire class have books. The rest have to sit together and share. Sometimes, there is only one book available in the whole class," said a teacher.
A teacher at School of Eminence, Ladowali Road, said studies had initially begun with old books collected from students who passed out last year. "Books from previous batches are distributed among the promoted students so that studies do not stop. But this is only a temporary arrangement," he added.
Kulwinder Singh, district president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said the issue persists every year. "Even last year, books were supplied by June-July. The government should ensure availability by April 1 when the new session begins. Students cannot effectively study without academic books."
Students said the delay is affecting self-study and note preparation. Gurmandeep Kaur, a Class X student, said she is still waiting for her mathematics and science books. "Teachers teach in class, but it becomes difficult to prepare at home without books. I am relying on the questionnaire and notes given by my teachers" she said.
Gagandeep Sharma, district book coordinator, said, "I will look into the issue regarding the unavailability of books as most textbooks have already been supplied. Since the admission process is still underway, the issue may be with newly admitted students. We will seek fresh demand from schools next week to ensure that all students receive their books."