An irked principal of Everest Model Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar, Shashi Sharma, said: “For more than six years, this problem of delayed books is being faced by all of us. The session started on April 1 this year but the books of many subjects published by the PSEB, Mohali, are yet not available. These include the Science books for Class IX, Environmental Science for Class V, Physical Education book for Class VI and Elective Hindi book for Class XI. We are in a fix as how to teach these subjects.”

Teachers of other schools are also facing the same problem. Suman Lata, a science teacher at a private school said: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to teach science after translating it from a Punjabi book. It consumes a lot of time and moreover, the students also have a tough time doing the homework. I am not really teaching my subject and am just giving them notes on the blackboard.”

Many schoolteachers said they have no choice but to resort to guides and other help books. Requesting anonymity, a teacher said: “Although a help books weakens the base of students, but we have no option in the absence of text books.”

The parents are, meanwhile, also in a fix. “Our children are in Class V and were not given mathematics book before the holidays. Throughout that period, they did not study the subject. The mathematics books were released during the holidays and have been given to the students now. They will have to do work harder.”