Ten days into the post-Diwali academic session, students of Classes 6 to 8 at private schools across the city are yet to get their textbooks, thanks to a shortage in the market.
Government and grant-in-aid schools have received their books directly from the Gujarat State School Textbook Board. In contrast, private school students rely on the market to purchase textbooks, where the supply has been insufficient.
Naresh Shah, president of the Gujarat Book Sellers and Stationery Association, criticised the poor man- agement of the board, saying, “The board has given excuses such as a paper shortage, despite knowing that the second academic session begins after Diwali. The mismanagement is forcing children to continue their studies without textbooks. Even the schools have not voiced this concern. How can a student study without text- books?” Typically, books are printed and dispatched based on the demand communicated by the sellers.
According to the information, the delay occurred this year because many sellers failed to place enough orders on time, resulting in insufficient stock