Srinagar, Jan 7, Amid growing concerns over the non-availability of textbooks for students in grades 6 to 9, the Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE), Parikshat Singh Manhas, has urged parents and students to focus on enjoying their winter vacations instead of worrying about academic materials.
Parents have been expressing concern about the unavailability of BOSE textbooks, claiming that they cannot procure them either from the market or schools, resulting in a significant loss of valuable study time for their children. “The textbooks are not available even in schools, which has left us helpless. Students cannot start their new academic year properly,” a couple of parents said.
When the news agency Kashmir News Trust approached him about the issue, BOSE Chairman Manhas appeared to downplay the urgency. “Can’t you tell parents that there is winter vacation and let the students enjoy it? Why are you pressurizing the students and not allowing them to enjoy the vacation period?” he responded.
On being reminded that the results have already been declared and students need textbooks to commence their studies, Chairman Manhas stated, “Our books are already in the market.” He added that the schools are currently closed due to the winter break, which is why textbooks may not be available in school premises. [KNT]
