Even though more than two weeks have elapsed since the current academic session began on April 1, only 61 per cent of textbooks have reached district and school levels as of now.
This was revealed at a videoconferencing held by School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra with all Education Field Officers in the presence of department Secretary Usha Padhee at the Secretariat on Thursday. The Minister reviewed the progress of printing and distribution of school textbooks.
It was also revealed that while 75 per cent to 80 per cent of textbooks have reached border districts like Nabarangpur, Sambalpur and Kalahndi, Class-VIII books are yet to reach any school in the State. Similarly, targeted quantities of Urdu, Telugu and Hindi textbooks have not been distributed.
Minister Mishra directed the concerned authorities to send all targeted quantities of books to some districts in a week’s time. Besides, he directed that books be sent to the Odia schools in bordering areas of neighbouring States within stipulated time. The next review meeting would be held on April 25.