Tripura schools face textbook crisis: AIDSO demands urgent action

By Firstdespatch Desk May 16, 2025

Agartala, May 16 (FD) Even after two months since the start of the new academic session on April 1st, a large number of schools across Tripura are still facing a serious shortage of textbooks. In many schools, students have received only one or two books, while others have been given only workbooks. With summer vacation set to begin on May 17th, this lack of educational materials is likely to severely hamper the interest and motivation of students.

The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), Tripura State Committee, has strongly condemned the apathetic attitude of the Education Department. In a statement, AIDSO criticized the department for its failure to ensure timely delivery of textbooks and called it a reflection of gross negligence.

AIDSO also highlighted the deteriorating condition of Vidyajyoti schools, where English-medium education was introduced in Class IX without adequate preparation. Most schools lack qualified English-speaking teachers and subject-specific educators. The transfer of 125 TBSE-run schools to CBSE under the Vidyajyoti scheme has left many underprivileged students struggling, especially with the ₹1,000 fee charged for migration certificates—a heavy burden for poor families.

The organization also raised concerns over the regular increase in tuition fees across all levels of education, which threatens the accessibility of education for economically weaker sections.

In response, AIDSO has issued a set of demands:

Ensure delivery of all textbooks during summer vacation through special planning.
Cancel the Vidyajyoti project immediately.
Appoint subject-specific teachers in every school.
Improve hostel facilities urgently.
Simplify the school admission process.
Eliminate the ₹1,000 migration certificate charge.
Waive tuition fees at all levels.

AIDSO urged the Director of Education to take immediate action to safeguard the public education system. FD SB