18K students yet to get textbooks

By Y. Maheshwara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike  (BBMP) authorities are  yet to supply uniforms,  text and notebooks to  around 18,000 students  in its 70 primary schools,  high schools and pre-university and degree colleges even after four months.

The BBMP also provides mid-day meals for  students at its educational institutions as most  of the students hail from  economically weaker families. “The BBMP Education Department officials  are yet to take measures  to supply uniforms and  books to the students. A  few students come to this  high school in uniforms  that are too old. Majority  of the students have no  uniforms,” said a teacher  of the BBMP school on a  condition of anonymity.

Teachers at a BBMP  High School in East Bengaluru have said that it has  become difficult for them  to conduct classes as the  students have neither text  books nor notebooks. “We  can’t expect the students  to focus on studies or do  the homework in the absence of textbooks and  notebooks,” said a teacher,  adding that the students  are lucky enough to get  mid-day meals on a daily  basis.

Criticising the BBMP  authorities for not supplying textbooks and notebooks to the students, Sai  Datta, a social activist, has  said the BBMP authorities have been spending  a huge amount on smart  boards without providing  textbooks and notebooks.  “It has been almost four  months since the schools  reopened. Textbooks and  notebooks are very important for SSLC students  who are expected to write  the annual examinations  within a few months. I appeal to the BBMP authorities to supply textbooks  and notebooks as early as  possible,” said Sai Datta. He demanded that the  BBMP Education Department officials should provide uniforms, textbooks  and notebooks for the  benefit of thousands of  students who come from  poor families.

“I want the BBMP Education Department officials to encourage and  motivate the students by  supplying uniforms, textbooks and notebooks on  time. These students, who  were at home for more  than around 18 months,  need encouragement. I  want the BBMP Education Department officials  to do the needful,” said C.  Sampath, a social activist.

Coming down heavily  on the BBMP authorities  for not supplying books  and uniforms to the students, H.M. Venkatesh, a  social activist, has said  that it seems that BBMP  authorities want social  activists and media persons to be reminded of  their duties and responsibilities. “It seems the  BBMP Education Department is in deep slumber.  It is a shame that the  BBMP authorities have  failed to provide textbooks and uniforms even  four months after schools  are reopened,’’ said Venkatesh.

Meanwhile, Hanumanthaiah, assistant director,  BBMP Education Department has said that efforts  were being made to supply  textbooks, notebooks and  uniforms for the students.  “We have to prepare the  estimate to purchase textbooks and notebooks and  uniforms for the students  as the number of students  has increased to 18,000  from 14,000 this academic  year,” Hanumanthaiah  said.