ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: No doubt supply of free books up to Class X is a right step towards ensuring free education but like previous years the students of federal capital schools could not get them even though the new academic year has entered its fourth month.

On the other hand National Book Foundation (NBF), which is responsible for providing books to Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), has been demanding Rs55 million to complete the delivery of books, Dawn has learnt.

A teacher of Tarnol Zone requesting not to be identified said: “Every year most of the books are provided at the time when it is too late. As the books are supplied by education department, no private publisher publishes these books.”

“So if books are not supplied by the government, they could not be purchased from the open market, leaving the students to suffer academically,” he said.

“The students of 7th class have received the books of English, Islamiat and Drawing, whereas all other books are yet to be delivered. Students of 8th class have so far received books of Mathematics and English. Students of 9th class have received books of Physics, Computer Science and Islamiat Compulsory.

“As far as students of Matric (10th class) are concerned, they have been delivered books of Physics and Biology. They are still waiting for the books of Chemistry, Social Studies, Urdu, Computer Sciences and English. Students of Matric Humanities Group have only received books of Islamic Studies Elective, Civics and General Science,” he said.According to sources, as a procedure, it is the responsibility of the FDE to deliver the textbooks to the students before beginning of their classes but most of the times FDE fails to provide all the books.

A junior lady teacher (JLT) said: “Due to unavailability of some books, teachers kept students engaged in other activities which are often irrelevant to the prescribed courses; it further blocks their course coverage in a timely and effective manner.”

An FDE officer said: “Another reason for the delay is traditional red-tape. FDE places order late and late payment by the finance dept and interests of people who are more interested in their commissions, all these hitches spoil the scheme.”

A father of a student says: “The classes start in April every year and the directorate promises to complete the process of distributing the books till the end of March but it fails. It is difficult for my children to prepare themselves for first term exams every year.”

Parents suggest that either the supply of books should be provided in time or an alternative incentive should be given to students in shape of free transportation, waiver of fees such as student’s funds, sports funds or miscellaneous charges levied on the poor students.

Secretary NBF Aftab Soomro while talking to Dawn said that NBF has provided its all 56 books which were printed by NBF.

Remaining books have to be arranged from different government, semi government and private publishers but they are not ready to hand over the books without payment.

“FDE director Tajammul Hussain visited my office and asked about the books but I told him that Rs55 million has to be paid by FDE. At the moment even Punjab Text Book Board has stopped delivery of books to us,” he said.

Director General FDE Dr Shahnaz A Riaz said that on Friday (yesterday) a delegation of principals came to her office and told her that they even could not conduct the first session exams because of unavailability of books.

“I have taken up the issue and assure that books would be provided to every student,” she said.