BENGALURU: Several government school students across Karnataka are yet to receive notebooks months into the academic year, leaving them at the mercy of local donors, community members and, in some cases, teachers themselves to meet their requirements. Educationists and student organisations have raised concerns that delays in providing basic learning materials are affecting the children, particularly those from economically weaker families.
Education expert Niranjanaradhya VP said the issue was being reported from several parts of the state. He said students admitted additionally to schools were, in some cases, not receiving the required materials, creating difficulties in classroom learning. He said teachers were already facing a learning crisis, which was further compounded by shortages of teachers.
All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) Karnataka state office secretary Mahantesh B said notebooks provided by the government are yet to reach schools in several districts. Some schools, he said, were managing the shortage through charity groups, villagers, panchayats and alumni.
“Some parents with up to four children find it difficult to buy notebooks for all of them,” Mahantesh said. He said teachers in some schools approach local residents for sponsorship, while some also spend money from their salaries to purchase notebooks for students. In some cases, children reuse notebooks belonging to older siblings by tearing out used pages and covering the remaining pages for another academic year.
A government school staffer in Korlagundi of Ballari district said students at the school had not received notebooks. The school has 158 students, many of whom come from families dependent on agricultural daily-wage work. He said the financial condition of the families made it difficult for parents to purchase additional school materials.
The schools are also facing delays in receiving shoes and socks. At a school in Ballari, students are waiting for footwear for four months. A faculty member said some children are coming to school barefoot as they could not afford to purchase footwear.
Niranjanaradhya said the education department should begin procurement well in advance, fix a clear timeline and ensure that notebooks, textbooks and other required materials reach schools before the academic year begins.