I visited two schools during my vacation in the USA. What impressed me was that children do not have to carry textbooks. The books are provided in the school, reducing unnecessary load. The PC Trust tried to replicate this idea. Textbooks for Std IX, donated by the Trust, are the property of the school.
The school is expected to collect and institute a book bank so that every student can use textbooks. However, the books are often not collected, despite the clause of fines of Rs 10 per day after the final exam. Lost and mutilated books are to be replaced. What was shocking was that a school wanted a cupboard donated and refused to take benefits, claiming there are no deserving students.
