The Delhi government has informed the Delhi High Court that the distribution of textbooks to students in government schools will be completed before the summer vacation begins, offering relief after weeks of concern over delays at the start of the academic year.
The assurance came during a hearing on Thursday, where the government stated that the tender process had already been completed and that a significant portion of the books had been distributed. Officials told the court that the remaining supply would be finished in time, ensuring that students from Classes 1 to 8 receive their study material before schools close for the summer.
Court reviews delay and seeks accountability
The matter was heard by a bench led by Justice Sachin Datta in response to a petition filed by NGO Social Jurist. The plea sought contempt proceedings against the education secretary, pointing to an earlier court direction from July 2024 that mandated the timely distribution of textbooks in government schools.
The petition argued that despite the academic session beginning on April 1, students were still without books weeks into the term. It highlighted that around 10 lakh students had been affected, raising concerns about disruption to classroom learning.
Taking note of the government’s submission, the court issued a notice and directed authorities to file a status report confirming compliance with the assurance. The next hearing has been scheduled for September 30.
Schools manage with stopgap arrangements
On the ground, the delay has forced schools to rely on temporary solutions. Teachers and principals have described the shortage as a recurring issue at the start of sessions, though this year’s lag has been particularly noticeable.
Students have been using shared or old textbooks, while some teachers have turned to printouts of digital content to continue lessons. In several cases, homework and classroom activities have been scaled down due to the lack of proper study material.
Despite these challenges, officials maintain that the situation is improving as fresh consignments reach schools in phases.
Also Read | 'Change your law, give respect to citizens': Supreme Court pulls up Centre over teen rape pregnancy case
Govt reiterates commitment
Representing the government, counsel informed the court that distribution is already underway and progressing steadily. The administration has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no student is left without essential learning resources before the vacation period.
Also Read | Delhi HC judge steps aside from hearing Karti Chidambaram’s plea in CBI case
While the assurance provides some relief, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the promise translates into timely delivery across all schools.
