Tamil Nadu to start book banks in schools to save trees

CHENNAI: In an effort to save trees, the school education department has ordered all government and government-aided schools to start book banks by collecting old books from students passing out this academic year, so the books could be redistributed to students next year.

The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation procures more than 40,000 tonnes of paper every year to print more than 8 crore textbooks for students in Classes I to XII. This means cutting down around 8 lakh trees to make pulp for papers which would be printed on to be made into textbooks. As per the order from the National Green Tribunal, the department had recently issued the circular to all chief educational officers recently directing them to start book banks.


“The schools have begun collecting old books from students who had written exams this year. If the books are in good condition and students opt for them, then these books would be disbursed to them,” an official from the school education department said. The old books are optional and free.

The move may not fetch immediate results as the government will issue revised textbooks for eight classes in the next academic year.

“We had revised the textbooks for Classes I, VI, IX and XI this academic year. But, some minor corrections are required in these books. If the department creates awareness among students about preserving the environment, we are sure many students would come forward to use old books,” an official said.

The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation is planning to procure 49,500 tonnes of paper to print new textbooks from Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL) for the next academic year (2019-20). The corporation had printed more than 5.65 crore free books and 3.1 crore sale copies in 2018-19. The figure may go up to 9.3 crore books for the next academic year.

“In the past, the students would use old books. But, after the government’s decision to issue free books the use of old books is almost non-existent. The department issues free books to more than one crore students every year,” said R Elangovan, former director of school education.

“Creating this kind of environmental awareness among school students is a good move. If we explain the benefits to them, I am sure many students would opt for old books, which could save lakhs of trees and help in conservation efforts,” he added.

When contacted, officials said school education secretary Pradeep Yadav took special interest in this issue and directed all government and government-aided schools to create book banks. “It may be extended to private schools in the coming years,” an official said.