Free textbook shortage hits Prayagraj schools as enrolment rises

Hundreds of students in Classes 1 to 8 across Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, have not received free textbooks and workbooks more than four months into the academic session. School staff are making repeated visits to the basic shiksha adhikari's office for additional supplies, the Hindustan Times reports.

The shortage is worst in government-aided schools where enrolment increased this session, but books were supplied based on student strength recorded on the U-DISE portal in the previous academic year. Anil Kumar, BSA Prayagraj, said orders are placed based on strength registered on September 30, and arrangements will be made for additional students.

Affected schools include Vidyawati Darbari Girls' Inter College, Hamidia Girls Inter College, DP Girls School, Annie Besant Inter College, and the government-run upper primary school in South Malaka. Teachers noted that free-distribution textbooks are not available for retail sale, leaving affected students without easy access to them.