Four months after their official unveiling, detailed textbooks for Physical Education (PE) have yet to reach a single teacher or student in Tamil Nadu's government schools. Despite the academic year progressing and half-yearly examinations concluding, a lack of allocated printing funds has rendered the launch symbolic.
Textbooks Launched but Never Printed
The school education department introduced these comprehensive PE textbooks in August this year. Designed as a valuable resource, they provide step-by-step instructions for various sports and games, aiding students in theoretical exams and offering trainers detailed guidelines. However, the absence of financial allocation for printing means not one copy has been distributed.
Pushparajan, a PE teacher from a government school in Kovalam, expressed his frustration. He confirmed that the books, which could have been useful for the quarterly exams, were completely absent even as the half-yearly exams passed. Teachers and students continue to miss out on this officially sanctioned learning material.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses for School Tours
Compounding the problem is the ongoing issue of funding for intra-state school tours, an annual activity. PE teachers are frequently forced to cover travel and other expenses for students from their own salaries due to delayed fund disbursement.
Sankaraperumal, President of the TN Physical Education Teachers and Physical Directors Association, highlighted the systemic delay. He stated that while the education department allocates funds every year, the money does not reach schools before the tours commence. Consequently, teachers often spend between ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per student from their pockets. The association demands that the government ensure timely release of funds before the tours begin.
Official Response and Pending Demands
When questioned about the reimbursement delays, Gopalakrishnan, the Chief Inspector of Physical Education, cited a lengthy bureaucratic process. He explained that reimbursements can only be processed after a utilisation certificate is submitted by the chief education officers of each district for expenses incurred by schools under their jurisdiction. He added that delays often occur at the school level due to improper documentation.
Ahead of schools reopening on January 5, physical education teachers have outlined key demands:
- Immediate printing and distribution of the PE textbooks launched in August.
- A streamlined system for the timely reimbursement of expenses borne by teachers for intra-state school tours.
- Filling of approximately 3,000 vacancies in high and higher secondary schools across the state.
The situation underscores a significant gap between policy announcement and ground-level implementation, leaving educators to bridge the gap with personal resources and patience.
