NEP is in Force, the Academic year Begins, But Books are out of Supply in Retailers

Shortage of NCERT textbooks for grades 3 and 6 sparks concerns amid NEP implementation. Updates awaited; parents and retailers anxious.

on Apr 08, 2024

NEP is in Force, the Academic year Begins, But Books are out of Supply in Retailers | Frontlist

Parents of city schoolchildren have been rushing from pillar to post since books for grades 3 and 6 are widely unavailable in stores.

Even though the National Education Policy (NEP) is in effect, NCERT has yet to release several textbooks with updated rules and syllabuses. The already-released books are quickly running out of stock.

The scarcity of textbooks has not only puzzled parents, but it has also prompted serious concerns about the state's preparedness for the new academic year.

"My two girls are in classes three and six. They're going to school without textbooks.

For more than 15 days, we have been looking for books in practically every market in the city. "I even went to Delhi and Noida to look for them but couldn't find any," said Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Sector 43.

According to booksellers, textbooks for grades 3-6 are generally out of supply.

"We placed orders but have not yet received the textbooks," the booksellers stated.

"The syllabuses for grades 3-6 have changed from this year. Children cannot refer to old literature. Although consumers have been given an anticipated wait time, we are unsure whether we will be able to match the demand. "With the new stock coming in, hundreds of people will come in to buy the books," said Theen, one of the book dealers in Sadar Bazar.

The principal of a CBSE Board school in Sector 50 stated, "The NCERT has prepared a new syllabus under the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023." Some textbooks have been updated, evaluated, and submitted for publication. As a result, their distribution to book dealers is delayed. Skill-based disciplines have been integrated into the curriculum.

NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani announced that CBSE textbooks for class 3 in Hindi, maths, English, and Urdu will be available starting Monday. New subjects such as painting and physical education will be introduced. Teachers will be taught to provide a holistic teaching approach. The idea is to promote pleasurable, stress-free learning."

"For Class 6, a bridge course is being developed to help students adjust to the new educational framework. "All materials will be available online to schools once NCERT releases them," he added.

Saklani stated that textbooks for classes 3 and 6 will be ready by April 15.