0
LARKANA, July 16: The district officer, elementary education, said on Thursday that students of class I to V would receive free textbooks after summer vacations.
The official, Sikandar Lakhir, said late arrival of books had slowed down the distribution process.
The Sindh education department had earlier announced to distribute books by opening schools on July 9 and 10. Sources said the books could not be distributed as students had not turned up at schools on the two days. However, education officials on July 12 distributed 150 sets of textbooks among students of the Government P. V. Primary School, Larkana. The district officer said books had also been distributed in the Girls' Model School, Larkana.
Sources said Larkana's demand for textbooks was 216,072 sets but the Sindh Textbook Board provided 212,849 sets. The district government spends more than Rs20 million on the project.
When contacted, Larkana District council's education committee chairman Amir Bakhsh Gaad said it would not serve the purpose now as majority of children had already purchased books at the start of the academic year in April.
WATER SHORTAGE: Farmers on Thursday held a protest demonstration near the Arija town against the persistent shortage of water at the Sonhari regulator and its branches.
They said instead of releasing 10.5 feet water from the Sonhari regulator, the officials released 7.5 feet water which was not sufficient even irrigating paddy saplings. The paddy nurseries were drying up due to the water shortage, they regretted.
