Facing flak for failing miserably to implement his dream plan of providing National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) books to all the Government and CBSE board schools of the State, the State Education Minister Arvind Pandey has now pulled up his socks to ensure that these books are made available before the next year’s academic session commences.
The issue of NCERT books figured prominently in course of the review meeting of education department held at the state secretariat on Monday. The Minister told the department officials categorically that the NCERT books would have to be made available to the students well before the start of the next academic session. The minister is learnt to have said that he would not allow red-tapism in the department to come in the way and those found responsible for delay in printing and distribution of NCERT books would be made to face consequences. He warned that appropriate action would be initiated against the officers not taking the order seriously.
The Minister is also learnt to have directed that the process of the appointment of guest teachers to fill the vacant posts of lecturer and lecturer teachers should be expedited.
The meeting was attended by the director education, R K Kunwar and the director SCERT, Seema Jaunsari besides other senior officers of the education department.
Later talking to the media persons, Pandey admitted that the department was not able to provide NCERT books to all the schools. He further said that the department officials have been asked to contact the Centre or any private vendor to ensure that these books are made available in sufficient number.
To implement NERT books in all the schools of the state barring those affiliated to ICSE board is one of the much- hyped promises given by the education minister. Some of the private schools had contested the obligation of implementing the order in the High Court, but the court too had ruled in the favour of the State Government’s order on the matter. The parents also lent their full weight behind the order as it reduced the burden on their pocket.
However, to implement the order is a tough task for the state government, given the fact that more than 90 lakh NCERT books from classes I to IX are required to be made ready. The state council of education research and training (SCERT) which was entrusted with the task of printing the books managed to supply about 55 lakh books and five lakh books were provided by the Centre. The department floated short- term tenders to meet the shortfall, but the private publishers showed little interest due to low profit margins.
Sexual harassment complaint forwarded to DGP
The Education department has forwarded the sexual harassment complaint received from a Nainital-based Government school teacher to the police.
The Education Minister Arvind Pandey said that though the complainant has not come forward and an anonymous letter has been received by the department he has asked the Director General of police (DGP) to investigate the case thoroughly.