Dharwad students await textbooks as half-yearly exams draw closer

Hubballi : Several students in government and aided schools in Dharwad district are reportedly yet to receive textbooks for some subjects, even as the half-yearly examinations are approaching, raising concerns among parents and teachers.

Schools reopened across Karnataka in June and nearly four months of the academic year have passed. While the government has distributed free textbooks to most students, teachers say some children are still waiting for books in certain classes and subjects.

The shortage has reportedly affected students in Classes 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 in some schools. Textbooks for subjects including Social Science and Physical Education are among those reportedly unavailable to some students.

Dharwad district School Development and Monitoring Committee representatives and teachers have raised concerns over the delay, pointing out that students without textbooks are being forced to depend on classmates, teachers’ notes or old books for their studies.

According to school authorities, the shortage is partly linked to admissions exceeding last year’s enrolment figures. Textbooks were supplied based on the previous year’s student strength, but some schools recorded higher admissions this year, leaving them with insufficient stocks.

Teachers have tried to address the shortage by obtaining surplus books from other schools. Some institutions have also used their book banks, where textbooks returned by students at the end of the previous academic year are stored. However, these measures have not completely resolved the problem.

The issue has reportedly been brought to the notice of Block Education Officers and the Deputy Director of Public Instruction. Officials have assured schools that additional textbooks would be supplied once fresh stocks arrive.

Dharwad DDPI S.S. Keladimath, when contacted, reportedly said he was unaware of the shortage and would seek information on the matter.

With examinations nearing, parents have urged the education department to immediately supply the pending textbooks and ensure that students are not disadvantaged because of administrative lapses.