Shortage of textbooks, teachers affects schools in Nizamabad dt

Sripati Srinivas Nizamabad: The functioning of schools in Nizamabad district has been badly hit due to shortage of textbooks, teachers and other problems. The officials have closed down 55 schools in the district citing the reason that the student strength is less. All the government and aided schools, after nearly 50 days of summer vacation, would be opened on Wednesday (June 12). For the past two months, the ministers and officials have been stating that books would be supplied to students well in time. The officials of education department had prepared estimates that 16 lakh textbooks were needed for distribution among students for the academic year 2013-14. Taking into account the available stocks of books (2 lakh textbooks) in the district, the officials had sent indent to state officials seeking 14 lakh books. But the officials have sent only 4.5 lakh textbooks (40 per cent). The remaining textbooks are yet to be received. As the syllabi for 7th, 8th and 9th Classes were changed, the textbooks have not yet been printed for these Classes. Immediately after the commencement of summer holidays, the Education Minister had pointed out that the distribution of textbooks would not be delayed. Contrary to his statement, books have not yet been received in the district. There are 1,573 government primary schools, 265 upper primary schools and 461 high schools in the district. In addition, there are 20 primary schools, 7 upper primary schools and 16 high-schools under government aided category. In 47 government primary schools, there are no teachers. Though the government wanted to appoint Urdu medium teachers in 8 schools, there are no qualified teachers in Urdu medium. As the officials have instructed to close down schools with less than 10 student strength, 55 schools (mostly primary schools) were closed down. The construction of model schools have not yet completed despite officials assurance to complete them before June. There are no basic amenities at several schools. The District Educational Officer Srinivasachary has said to The Hans India that Educational volunteers would be appointed in the schools where there are no teachers.