Korba, Chhattisgarh | Thousands of students across government and private schools in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, continue to attend classes without textbooks more than one-and-a-half months after the start of the 2026–27 academic session, raising serious concerns over the quality of education and timely implementation of the revised school curriculum.
The delay in supplying textbooks, attributed to issues in printing and distribution by the Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation, has affected students from Classes 1 to 10, with the most severe impact being felt in primary and upper primary schools.
New Curriculum Leaves Students Without Study Material
The problem has become more serious this year because the State Government introduced a major revision of the curriculum for students from Classes 1 to 8 under the National Education Policy (NEP).
The revised syllabus includes:
- Updated learning content
- Practical and activity-based education
- Modern teaching methods
- New academic subjects
- Skill-oriented learning modules
Since the new textbooks have not yet reached many schools, teachers are unable to use the revised curriculum effectively, while students are attending classes without the required learning material.
More Than 45 Days Lost
Although the academic session began over 45 days ago, many schools have still not received complete sets of textbooks.
Education experts estimate that nearly 20–25% of the academic syllabus has already been affected because students have been unable to study from the prescribed books.
As the syllabus has changed significantly, teachers cannot rely on old textbooks to continue classroom instruction.
Teaching Activities Seriously Affected
Teachers across the district say the absence of textbooks has disrupted regular classroom teaching.
Without access to the new curriculum, educators have been forced to modify lesson plans, use limited reference materials, and postpone several academic activities.
School authorities believe that the delay could impact students’ learning outcomes if textbooks are not supplied soon.
School Principal Highlights Challenges
Dr. Alka Phillips, Principal of the NCDC School and Coordinator of the district education center, said that several textbooks for Classes 9 and 10, as well as primary and middle school classes, have not yet been delivered.
She explained that books are being dispatched in limited quantities to prevent misuse and that each batch must also undergo a digital scanning process before distribution.
Dr. Phillips acknowledged that the curriculum revision may have contributed to the delay but emphasized that the shortage is creating significant difficulties for both students and teachers.
She expressed hope that the remaining textbooks would be supplied at the earliest so that normal teaching activities could resume.
Over 1.42 Lakh Students Affected in Korba
According to district education data:
- Total Government Primary and Middle Schools: 2,436
- Students Enrolled in Classes 1–8: Approximately 142,899
- Single-Teacher Schools: 339
Many of the single-teacher institutions are primary schools, while several schools are also facing teacher vacancies, further compounding the challenges in delivering quality education.
Private Schools Also Facing Textbook Shortage
The shortage is not limited to government schools.
Several private schools affiliated with the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education have also reported delays in receiving textbooks.
Both Hindi-medium and English-medium private schools have submitted memorandums to the District Collector, requesting immediate supply of books.
Although authorities had assured timely delivery, many private schools are still waiting for the revised textbooks.
School managements say the delay is affecting academic schedules and creating uncertainty for students and parents alike.
Curriculum Reform Faces Implementation Challenges
The revised curriculum was introduced with the objective of improving education through:
- Experiential Learning
- Practical Knowledge
- Skill Development
- Modern Teaching Practices
- Alignment with the National Education Policy
However, education experts believe that curriculum reforms can only succeed if supporting learning materials are made available before the academic session begins.
Under normal procedures, textbooks are expected to reach schools before classes commence, allowing teachers and students to begin the academic year without disruption.
Growing Concern Among Parents and Educators
Parents, teachers, and school administrators have expressed concern over the prolonged delay, warning that continued shortages may negatively affect students’ academic progress.
Many educators have urged the Chhattisgarh Government and the Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation to expedite the printing and distribution process so that students can begin studying the revised syllabus without further delay.
Education System Under Pressure
The ongoing textbook shortage has highlighted the logistical challenges involved in implementing large-scale curriculum reforms.
With more than 1.42 lakh students in Korba alone waiting for essential learning materials, education stakeholders are calling for immediate action to ensure that every school receives the required textbooks and that classroom teaching returns to normal as quickly as possible.
The timely availability of textbooks remains critical to ensuring that students receive quality education and that the objectives of the new curriculum are successfully achieved during the 2026–27 academic session.
