Mechanism to make best use of school textbooks

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

The Ministry of Education has introduced a mechanism aiming to get the best use of school textbooks which are distributed free of charge each year by the Government.

The Government spends a considerable amount every year from the National Budget for the provision of free school textbooks. Therefore, the attention of all educational authorities is drawn by the Education Ministry towards the importance of making maximum use of textbooks and avoid unwarranted spoilage.

Accordingly the Ministry of Education has already Issued a circular to all principals and educational officials advising them to take measuresto reduce the cost for textbooks by way of reusing them while bringing down the spoilage rate.

Under the guidelines of the circular the Ministry has advised principals to summon a meeting of schoolchildren before the final day of the last term.

The day is named as 'Books Distribution Day' on which the principals would advise the students on using textbooks neat with great care.

As a motivation factor the Ministry has scheduled to offer gifts and certificates to three students who use their textbooks with care. "As the final outcome the Education Ministry will be able to reduce a considerable amount of expenses incurred on school textbooks annually" Educational Ministry sources said.