No books for learning enhancement schemes

JAGATSINGHPUR:  School have reopened but special workbooks under the Learning Enhancement  Programmes (LEPs) - Ujjwal and Utthan - are yet to be provided to students and teachers. 
  Earlier this year, the State Government had launched two LEPs for primary and upper  primary students. The Odisha Primary Education Programme (OPEPA) rolled out LEPs — Ujjwal for classes I-V and Utthan for classes VI-VIII to enhance learning outcome in  three subjects - English, Mathematics and Odia. The new programmes began across the State after the schools reopened after summer vacation.

Under Ujjwal scheme, a total of 2,48,438 special workbooks in all the three subjects are  required for the district but 2,24,758 books have been received so far. While 2,716  students have not received their Mathematics Paper 1 book, 1,157 more have not got  their Mathematics paper 2 book. As many as 2,710 students have not received Odia Part 1  book and 3,859 have not got their English books. Under Utthan scheme, 3,268 students  have not yet received Science and Odia books. As many as 178 teachers have not received  their Sikhya Maragdariska books in all these three subjects. 

The LEPs are to operate in two phases. While the first phase started from June 18 and  would continue till July 31 wherein only remediation classes are being conducted and no  regular syllabus is taught, the phase two will begin from August 1. In the second phase,  teachers have to take remediation class for one period everyday at primary level and  three hours every Monday at the secondary level.

Cluster Resource Center Coordinator (CRCC) of Balikuda, Praffulla Kumar Behera said due to shortage of books, the first phase course cannot be completed on time. District Project Coordinator of Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan, Sapan Kumar Jena said officials concerned of the School and Mass Education Department have been apprised of the situation.