Recurring textbook fiasco: Where does it leave RTE ?
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 02, 2012 -

Regardless of protest and agitation from time to time, the issue of non-availability of prescribed text books has always haunted Manipur at the beginning of every academic session and it is no different this time too.

According to reports doing the around, the state government and its education department have yet again failed to ensure the text books, which are supposed to be provided free of cost to students of class I to VIII under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme even though it is already into two months of commencement of the current academic session.

It is said that Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) has been entrusted with the task of printing the prescribed text books and the Board in turned hire 22 printing firms located both within and outside the state for bringing out these text books.

Although the outside firms have completed the task and handed over the printed copies of the text books in time to the Board for distribution among the students, as many as 12 local firms are lagging behind scheduled in completing the work given to them.

This has once again created an embarrassing situation for BSEM, which was at the receiving end at the time of awarding the contract works for printing the prescribed text books.

Now the pertinent question is why the issue of unavailability of text books recurs academic session after academic session in Manipur? Is there no way out from this debacle?

We may recall here how some of the local publishers make a hue and cry over alleged denial of the contracts for printing the prescribed text books and giving preference to outside firms.

Where are the social organizations and other student bodies which have backed these local publishers? Why aren't they saying anything now? Where are the organizations crying hoarse for quality education in the state?

On the other hands, there have been instances where the prescribed text books meant for free distribution to students under SSA scheme finding their ways in open market.

In fact, three officials who were found involved in selling text books meant for free distribution to students have been placed under suspension recently.

So much for quality education and implementation of Rights to Education Act in the state!

The state government and more particularly the education department should sincerely look into the root cause of the problem and find out a permanent solution to the ills afflicting the education system.

Keeping aside other entitlements, we strongly feel that depriving text books to the students is nothing but blatant violation of fundamental rights of the children to free and compulsory education guaranteed under the Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.