Even as students have already begun attending school and tuition classes for Std X, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is yet to send the manuscripts of the history and geography textbooks for printing.
“We haven’t yet received the content from the state board. We will print the textbooks only after receiving the manuscript from the board,” said an official from Balbharti, the body responsible for the printing of textbooks. The body undertakes the production and distribution of textbooks, the manuscripts of which are prepared by the MSBSHSE.
Last year, the geography textbook had omitted a substantial part of Arunachal Pradesh from the map of India and shown it as a part of neighbouring China. Similarly, in the history textbook, no markings were made to indicate Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands. After the errors were spotted, the board had recalled the textbooks and dismissed the 15-member board of studies responsible for the texts.
Board officials have said that the maps included in the textbooks are awaiting approval from the Survey of India and will be sent for printing at the earliest. “We have sent the maps to be used in the textbook to the Survey of India for approval. We are expecting an approval from them within a week and will finalise everything after that. Rest of the material to be included in the textbooks is ready,” said Krishnakumar Patil, secretary of the board.
While officials assured that the textbooks will be available soon, students are worried that this delay will eat into their preparation time since most students start class for Std X right after the Std IX final exams.
“My classes started a few days back but the history textbook was not available. The geography textbook I bought is last year’s edition with stickers used to correct the mistakes,” said Tina Mehta, a Std X student of Old Lourdes School, Kalyan.
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