Chennai: Students of Classes I to III at many CBSE schools in the city were yet to receive their new Tamil textbooks on the opening day of the academic session. CBSE schools in Tamil Nadu rely on textbooks produced by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for Tamil-language instruction from Classes I to X. This year, SCERT revised its curriculum for the lower primary grades and released new editions. However, some schools reported that they had not placed orders yet.
Schools Await Delivery of New Textbooks
According to the principal of a prominent school on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), the institution has received books for Classes III to X. Only the textbooks for Classes I and II are still pending. The principal expressed confidence that the remaining books would arrive by the following week.
Another principal from a different school mentioned that they had placed the order for the new textbooks on Monday but had not yet collected them from the distribution center. The delay in collection adds to the overall waiting period for the students.
Concerns Over Curriculum Implementation
Venkateswaran, a former school principal, warned that prolonged delays in textbook availability could force schools to fall back on the old curriculum. He stated that if the new books do not arrive on time, teachers would have no alternative but to use the materials they already have, which may not align with the revised syllabus.
In response to these concerns, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan addressed the issue at a press conference on Thursday. He assured that any logistical gaps would be addressed promptly. The minister emphasized that all schools should teach from the new textbooks and that the government would ensure their timely distribution.
