Shortage of textbooks hampers study in Manikganj schools
Artificial crisis by publishers alleged
One and a half months after starting classes of the academic year, textbook crisis in Manikganj is hampering study of high school and madrasa students.
Several books of different classes are not available in the local markets while the students have to pay additional prices for the ones available.
Local booksellers blamed the publishers in Dhaka for the situation.
Despite stock of sufficient number of published books at Bangla Bazaar in the capital, the publishers have created an artificial crisis and selling books for higher prices, Afzal Hossain, proprietor of Amirat Library at Uthuli Bazaar in Shivalaya upazila in the district, told this correspondent.
As the retailers have pay additional prices the fixed ones for the textbooks, they are bound to sell at prices higher than the ones mentioned in the textbooks, he said.
Fixed price of a set book of class six is Tk168 but it is being sold at Tk190 to Tk-200, said a guardian.
Kamrul Islam, proprietor of Janata Pulishers, said the book prices have increased due to rise in price of paper and other relevant materials. Besides, several publishers, instead of publishing books, resorted to the evil practice of selling the paper they got at subsidised rates from the government.
Visiting quite a few bookstalls in the district, this correspondent found that book supply was much short of demand.
Many students were seen returning home empty-handed from the book stalls as there is no supply of social science and mathematics books of class six, social science of class seven, social science and mathematics of class eight, English, algebra, Bangla prose, business studies, accounting and geography books of class nine.
In absence of textbooks, classroom instruction is being disturbed, said several teachers.
When contacted, District Education Officer MA Monnaf Khan said anybody found responsible for the situation will have to face legal action.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments