Date:12/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/12/stories/2008061259070200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Textbook shortage worry students

Staff Reporter

Rush for textbooks, uniforms, note books, geometry boxes and school bags

HYDERABAD: With schools reopening on Thursday for the new academic year, parents are looking forward to send their children schools without any trouble.

The rush for text books, uniforms, note books, geometry boxes, school bags and other articles was apparent in market places through out the last week.

The shortage of text books is causing worry among students and the parents.

“We are trying hard to get the text books for our children,” says G. Venkata Ramana, an RTC employee and a resident of Vidya Nagar.

Most of the kids looked reluctant to attend the school. “My son is not at all willing to attend the school, he wanted to go back to his grandfather’s place instead,” said Srinivasa Rao, who lives at Zamistanpur. However, it is not the case with every kid. “My son is bored with long holidays. He is really keen on going school,” says P. Narsimhulu, who also lives in the same area.

The high school students were in good spirits as they are going meet their pals after a long time.

School fees

The increased oil prices and are weakening the pockets of the parents as schools are raising the school fees and fares of school vehicles.

“The previous van fare was Rs. 600 and now it’s going to be added another Rs. 200.

The school fee is also increased. We need to spend more money than we predicted,” says Srinivasa Rao.