Dharwad Students Face Textbook Shortage Ahead of Half Yearly Exams

The academic year in Karnataka began in June, and nearly four months have now passed. While textbooks were supplied free of cost to government and aided school students at the beginning of the academic year, some children are still reportedly missing books for particular subjects.

The shortage has become a concern for parents, especially with half yearly examinations just days away. Students who have not received the required textbooks are being forced to depend on alternative arrangements made by their schools and teachers.

According to teachers and School Development and Monitoring Committee representatives in Dharwad district, the problem is not affecting every student or every school. However, children in several schools have not received textbooks for certain subjects.

Students from Classes 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 are reportedly among those facing the issue. Subjects such as Social Science and Physical Education have been mentioned in complaints about missing textbooks.

With examinations approaching, parents have questioned how students are expected to prepare properly when they do not have the prescribed study material. Teachers are also concerned that the delay could affect classroom learning and examination preparation.

The issue appears to be linked partly to changes in student enrolment. Textbooks were reportedly supplied to schools based on the previous years student strength. In some schools, however, admissions increased after the books had already been allocated.

As a result, the number of textbooks available in certain schools has not matched the number of students currently enrolled. This has left newly admitted children without copies of some subjects.

Teachers have reportedly tried several ways to manage the shortage. In some cases, schools obtained additional books from places where spare copies were available and distributed them among students.

Some schools have also relied on their existing book banks. Students who studied in previous years had returned their textbooks to schools after completing their annual examinations. Those books have been reused where possible to help children who are currently without copies.

Despite these efforts, the shortage has not been completely resolved. Teachers and headmasters have reportedly brought the matter to the attention of Block Education Officers and the Deputy Director of Public Instruction.

Officials have reportedly assured schools that the remaining textbooks would be supplied once fresh stock arrived. Until then, some students continue to depend on shared books or older copies.

The delay has raised questions about the coordination involved in estimating student numbers and distributing educational materials. Although the government spends significant amounts on school education every year, gaps in the supply process can directly affect students inside classrooms.

The Dharwad district education authorities have also come under pressure to address the issue quickly. When contacted about the textbook shortage, Dharwad DDPI S S Keladimath reportedly said that he was not aware of the matter and would obtain information about it.

For students preparing for their first major examinations of the academic year, the remaining gap needs to be addressed without further delay. Supplying textbooks according to the current enrolment numbers could help schools ensure that every child has access to the same learning material.

The situation also highlights the need for education officials to regularly update student strength figures after admissions and make additional textbook arrangements where enrolment rises. Such coordination could reduce the chances of students being left without essential books for several months.

With the half yearly examinations nearing, parents and teachers are now looking to the education department for a quick solution. The immediate priority is to ensure that students who are still waiting receive the required textbooks before their examinations begin.