The great book scam
Blow to primary school education system

Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka has much explaining to do. Under his watch, rather with the active involvement of individuals hand-picked by the minister, books, some of questionable merit, were chosen for libraries of primary schools in the state. Some of these were overpriced, and the supplier of these books did not have a track record in publishing. There were also issues regarding the orders placed for science laboratory kits ordered for schools.

Sarv Siksha Abhiyanan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan provided the Central funds for the books and kits meant for government-run schools. The government in general and the minister in particular are under fire because of improper procedures. And the bad selection of books is seen as rubbing salt into wounds of the primary school system, which is already bedevilled by inadequate infrastructure, staff and funds. When these books arrived in some schools in Mohali, Ropar and parts of Hoshiarpur, officials concerned found them so bad that they even protested. Not only are some words and phrases of the kind which one would not like children to be exposed to, age-inappropriate subjects, too, were dealt with in these books. The minister could even be accused of not looking after party interests, since one of the books roundly criticises the role of the Chief Minister and other Akali Dal leaders in the 1980s. No wonder, the minister finds himself in the dock and the officials concerned have been suspended.

The Chief Minister, alert to the damage the unravelling scam could cause to his government’s image, has ordered a judicial probe. However, the lack of a time-frame in which the inquiry is to be concluded gives rise to speculation that it could be open-ended, as some such inquiries have been. The Education Minister has been quick to point out that choosing people who are on a panel, like the one he constituted for the selection of the books, is his prerogative. He, however, has to face the consequences of his action. He is now in a position where his continuation in office is untenable.

Source:http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/400x60/0 , date:29/05/2013