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Amid supply delay, Delhi govt schools short of textbooks
Delhi government schools face a shortage of textbooks due to delays in distribution, with supplies arriving only partially. Teachers and students have resorted to photocopied materials and e-books, while a legal petition references a court-ordered first-day distribution and ongoing delays.
Why It Matters
The shortage affects about 10 lakh students in Classes 1–8 and raises questions about compliance with court orders and the functioning of the Free Supply of Textbooks scheme in Delhi.
Timeline
3 Events
April 23, 2026: Letter dated April 23 cites 2024 order and notes ongoing textbook shortage in Delhi government schools
April 23, 2026
In the letter dated April 23, 2026, Agarwal cites the 2024 order and a writ petition, asserting that about 10 lakh students in Classes 1–VIII have not received textbooks despite ongoing supply. It notes that supply is partial—some books have arrived but not for all classes or subjects (including Class 7); teachers are providing photocopied study materials, and students are using printouts and e-book apps. Parents report peers sharing books, and queries to the Delhi government’s Director of Education and education minister’s office had not been answered by print time.
April 22, 2026: Advocate Ashok Agarwal writes to Delhi education secretary about textbook delay
April 22, 2026
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Delhi High Court advocate and education rights activist Ashok Agarwal wrote to education secretary Sanjeev Ahuja, stating that the delay in distributing textbooks amounted to contempt of court and referencing a writ petition in which an affidavit promised first-day distribution for students in Classes 1–8.
April 16, 2024: Education secretary issues order related to first-day textbook distribution
April 16, 2024
An order by the education secretary on April 16, 2024, referenced in a writ petition, promised that textbooks would be provided to students in Classes 1 to 8 on the first day of the academic session.