Sale of notebooks rampant in Rangpur libraries

RANGPUR, Jan 19: Sale of banned note and guide books, published for students of Class I to X is going on unabated in Rangpur district while the concerned authorities seem to be oblivious to the matter.   
Most of the bookshops in Rangpur city and other upazilas are selling 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 alleged.
It is also alleged that teachers of some government schools, private schools and coaching centres in the district encourage 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 forbidden guide and notebooks are now being sold openly at station road area, city market, Lalbagh 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.
Abedul Hafiz, a guardian complained that his son bought a note book ignoring his objection because his coaching centre asked him to do so.  
The government should first ensure the proper system and status of education before taking steps for banning the note and guidebooks, educationists opined.
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 alleged.  
A number of book sellers at Station Road area in the city requesting anonymity told The Financial Express they are selling the illegal guide and notebooks without any difficulties 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, they 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.