Editorial
Nahid redeems his pledge
His highly creditable success should prove inspiring
SET against failed track records of the National Curriculum and Text Book Board(NCTB), or for that matter of the Education Ministry in reaching text books to schools ahead of academic session, what the education minister has pulled off is a truly remarkable feat. Whereas school-going children could hardly lay their hands on school text books even well into the first quarter of an academic session, they are left profusely elated at the scent of the new books on their very first day in school.
Just how much of an outstanding success it is, is borne out not merely by the fact that something traditionally messed up has been set right for the first time but also because of daunting odds the task was arrayed against. An insurmountable looking obstacle came in the way of book publication when huge quantities of printing paper were gutted, upsetting printing schedules. In our rather peculiar context where a laid back attitude feeding on all sorts of excuses rules the roost, Nahid has proved where there is a will, there is a way -- to the hilt.
The massive nature of the undertaking is amply illustrated by the sheer number of books targeted to be distributed -- 19crore of them. Besides, we know of the government's offer of text books free of cost to the primary students, but this year books have been made available for free to the secondary-level students as well. Quite clearly such a stupendous multi-faceted operation involving various agencies called for impeccable synchronisation, coordination and alignment of activities to yield the outcome it has.
The more we think of what we have been losing in terms of education at the foundation and grooming levels through delayed academic sessions, perfunctory classroom instructions and overall lack of seriousness in imparting and receiving primary education the more we tend to marvel at the success. The timely and adequate distribution of text books should go a long way in improving the quality of products coming out of school streams. That is a big gain we are looking to.
In fine, what the education ministry has done in the realm of text books should be the standard now, not only in this particular domain but in other important areas of national life as well.
Our sincere congratulations to Nahid and his team.
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