RANGPUR, Mar 14: Illegal note and guide books, published for students of Class I to X, have flooded the markets in Rangpur district, much to the concern of the guardians and educationists.
Sources alleged that most of the bookshops in Rangpur city and other upazilas are selling prohibited guidebooks and notebooks openly, defying a government ban on such books while the authorities concerned are turning a blind eye to the matter.
It is also alleged that teachers of some government schools, private schools and coaching centres in the district inspire the students to purchase note and guide books.
Earlier in 1980, the government banned printing, import, sale and distribution of notebooks, as they stifle the creativity of students. However, the notebook publishers went to the High Court challenging the government ban. Then a High Court bench in 2008 gave a verdict banning, not only notebooks, but also guidebooks, sources added.
The banned guide and notebooks are now being sold openly at much higher rates at station road area, city market, Lalbag area in the district town and in other upazila headquarters of the district. The demands for note and guide books are high as the teachers do not take classes properly, some guardians alleged.
Humayun Kabir Manik , a guardian of Shalban area in the city complained that his son bought a note book ignoring his objection because his coaching centre asked him to do so.
The publishers and sellers are doing brisk business as the books are in high demand. In this situation, the education board which should play an important role is doing nothing, guardians further alleged.
A book seller at Station road area in the city requesting anonymity told FE they are selling the banned guide and notebooks without any hindrances as the law enforcing agencies are not strict enough in this regard. A number of companies are printing the books secretly and selling those in the markets, he added.
However, the officials of the district administration denied those charges and said that they are quite active and serious regarding the matter and would start drives all on a sudden so that all the banned guide books can be seized.
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