PANAJI
However, as far as primary schools are concerned, SCERT has managed to complete distribution of textbooks to the tune of 82.65 per cent, while 50.10 per cent distribution of textbooks has been completed at upper primary level as on May 19.
Speaking to The Goan Everyday, SCERT Director Nagraj Honnekeri said, “We have set a deadline of May 30 to complete the distribution of textbooks.
Presently, distribution in two talukas of Canacona and Quepem is almost 100 per cent complete. These talukas have been taken up first mainly to avoid inconvenience if rains hit the State.”
In all, SCERT had ordered for 3,55,500 textbooks for primary schools, of which 2,93,848 have been received. As far as upper primary schools are concerned, 9,28,000 books were ordered, of which 4,65,748 have been received.
“Every year, we order for additional 5 per cent copies of textbooks. We had some stock remaining from last year’s quota which has been distributed in Canacona and Quepem”, said Honnekeri.
The SCERT had received the first load of textbooks from Kolhapur on April 20, which has been delivered to block resource centres from where they are picked up by the respective schools.
“As far as the distribution is concerned, our cluster resource persons have taken the initiative to get in touch with schools and inform them about the arrival of textbooks”, he
said adding that there are over 140 cluster resource persons and each one looks after nearly 7-8 schools.
The state is spending about Rs 1.3 crore on textbooks while the Centre through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is spending Rs 1.65 crore. As far as textbooks in government primary schools are concerned, the State Government bears the entire expense which is about Rs 18 lakh.
Nonetheless to avoid delay is distribution of textbooks, the SCERT had given the order prior to the code of conduct for State Assembly elections came into force.
