KARACHI, April 3: The textbooks meant for free distribution to poor students of the government primary schools in the city have not been received from the textbook board so far, while the new academic year has already commenced on April 1.

Sources in the city government said that despite its commitments the Sindh Textbook Board had failed to deliver the textbooks to the government on time for distribution among the poor and needy students, who had already been identified by the district education officers.

After devolution, the city government was provided with the fund by the Sindh government to purchase textbooks directly from the STB and ensure delivery of those to students on time.

First the date for the delivery of books was fixed on February 25, later it was extended up to March 15. “But till date not a single book is available for free distribution among students,” said a source adding that the situation was very difficult for primary school students in urban slums and rural areas of the city.

It has been further learnt that the city government has ordered for the supply of 62000 sets of primary class books worth Rs4.97 million, while it was looking for another amount to the tune of Rs7.5 million for more books which would be distributed in 532 katchi abadis.

The sources said that as soon as primary class textbooks were received from the STB, those would be handed over to the DOEs in different towns for immediate distribution among students, who had already started attending their new classes.