Schools reopen but textbooks yet to reach students

Printed copies unlikely to arrive this month

More than two weeks have passed since the new academic year commenced on July 1, but State syllabus students have yet to get their textbooks. Those who have access to the internet are making do with soft copies that have been made available for online classes. Others have borrowed study material from their seniors. Many school teachers are currently conducting bridge courses to help students brush up on concepts taught the previous year. “Last academic year, there were a lot of disruptions due to the pandemic. A majority of students were not able to grasp the important concepts and therefore we have decided to conduct bridge courses before we begin this year’s portions. But we have to start the new academic year at least by August, failing which there will be a significant delay,” the head of a government primary school in Bengaluru said.