First session nearly complete, why are textbooks being distributed so late? Delhi HC to govt

The Delhi government, meanwhile, submitted an action report in the matter, indicating a timeline to address different issues. According to the report, procurement of dual desks would be completed by July 2024, textbook distribution started on April 22 (this year) and is to be completed by May 10 — before summer vacations commence; writing material has been distributed to all admitted students and will continue till the completion of the admission process.

Delhi government’s standing counsel Santosh K Tripathi submitted: “We have given a timeline for procurement of dual desks. Tin schools have been shifted to pucca buildings. A porta building is also functional, and will, till the construction works continue. As soon as the construction is completed, we will shift all the students to pucca structures.”

Meanwhile, advocate Ashok Agarwal for petitioner NGO ‘Social Jurist’ said that he was told that textbooks had not been distributed to students. The plea highlights the lack of facilities such as textbooks and furniture in certain schools of the district, including GGSSS Khajoori Khas, GGSSS East Gokal Pur, SKV C-1 Yamuna Vihar, GGSSS Sonia Vihar, and GGSSS Bhajanpura among others.

“I have been told that some chapters of Class 6 are in the process of being changed. They (Delhi government) should tell the correct position. From classes 1-8, syllabus books have not come. They aren’t telling the truth to the court, about the problems they are facing. Classes 9-12, they said, are allowed 1,500 towards uniform and 700 towards books; they have not been given this,” he submitted.

Responding to the submissions, the official concerned said that for classes 1-3, the books are being distributed. He further submitted that for classes 4-5, textbooks are ready and the Directorate of Education (DoE) has distributed them in all schools. For classes 6-8, the printing of books is underway “because the NCERT has changed the syllabus this year”, the official added. “We will start distributing very soon. We have made a mechanism that the books will reach the schools directly, and we will start distributing. Classes 9-12, the funds will be transferred by the planning department of DoE to the accounts of the students.”

To this, the court said that regardless of the change in syllabus, teaching in private schools continues, and asked that with respect to government schools, if new books have gone for printing or not; while calling for a proper affidavit.

The official said that the students are being taught, however, new books have not been given, adding that those have “gone for printing”.
Listing the matter on May 15, the bench said: “Give us an affidavit. By that time, you tell us if you have distributed the books till Class 10.”

Meanwhile, in a separate matter concerning alleged non-utilisation of six newly constructed government school buildings over the non-payment of dues, the HC on Tuesday closed the proceedings after taking note of a status report filed by the government.

As per the status report, two schools – GGSSS Rani Bagh and SV Co Ed Sector 7 Rohini – are already functional in the new building. Tripathi referred to the report, and stated that Govt Co Ed MS Punjab Khore school is almost complete, and the defects pointed out in the civil and electricity works are in the process of being repaired.

The government counsel assured and undertook that when the school reopens after summer vacation, the students would have already moved to the new building.

Tripathi further said that GBSSS Bakhtawarpur and GGSS Mukundpur shall be functional on or before August 1, adding that the education department has taken “approvals from the Election Commission of India in concurrence with the finance department to complete the two projects”. Tripathi also assured the HC that SV Lancer Road school shall be completed by October 1.

The bench, thereafter, accepted undertakings given by the government counsel and said that the DoE will be “bound by the same”. The HC closed the proceedings in the petition, and listed it for compliance on October 8.