NEW DELHI: Despite commencement of 2024-25 academic session from April 1, six lakh out of 16 lakh students studying in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools are grappling with absence of essential study materials, including books and notebooks, according to a report of an NGO.
Advocate Ashok Agarwal, representing the NGO, Social Jurist, also flagged the alarming state of broken desks in classrooms, saying a recent visit to four MCD primary schools at Sri Ram Colony in Khajoori Khas, Dayalpur and Shivpur revealed this distressing reality.
In response to TOI's queries, MCD officials acknowledged the problems and attributed them to "procedural hurdles".
Funds allocated in last academic year to be used to purchase books: MCD official While requisitions for textbooks have been forwarded to Delhi govt's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan wing, efforts are under way to expedite the process, the officials said. "Funds allocated in the last academic year for these materials will be used to purchase books and stationery for the students," one of the officials said.
In the past, textbooks used to be procured from Delhi Bureau of Text Books and distributed among students. However, non-constitution of MCD Standing Committee has hampered the process this session.
Traditionally, once classes commence from April 1, various preparatory programmes like Vidyarambh (school preparedness) and FLN (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy) to equip students with syllabus-based knowledge begin. Study material provided include a workbook for class I to V, five 'story cards' for each student and workbooks for pre-primary pupils.
MCD said funds have been disbursed to schools for 150-pages FLN worksheets. An official added requisition for new textbooks printed from NCERT have been made.