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Bantwal: From this academic year, the government will distribute required textbooks to students of pre-university (PU) colleges, including private institutions.

Following this, PU colleges have been directed to immediately submit the number of students requiring textbooks to the department. However, teachers say this has created a problem as student admissions for the new academic year have not yet begun.

The department has instructed all PU colleges to submit the total number of textbooks required by April 10.

Teachers pointed out that the SSLC results are likely to be announced only by the end of April. Only after the results are declared will it be known how many students are likely to join PU courses.

As a result, teachers said it is currently not possible to accurately estimate the number of textbooks required.

Some teachers have questioned whether it is appropriate for the department to seek textbook requirements even before admissions are completed.

They have also expressed concern that there is no clear provision to return excess textbooks or obtain additional copies if the requirement exceeds the submitted estimate.

Teachers further said that many PU students may continue to use textbooks from the previous academic year, reducing the need for new books.

Meanwhile, some school managements have objected to the present system under which 25 per cent of the total textbook cost has to be paid by the schools to the government, saying the arrangement is not appropriate.