FREE TEXTBOOK PROGRAM FACES PROBLEMS IN DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS TO STUDENTS

September 17, 2007

It has been one week since schools re-opened across the country and textbooks from the government’s free textbook program have not gotten into the hands of students.According to Nelson Longsworth of the Quality Assurance and Development Services, QUADS, the Ministry of Education is facing problems in the distribution of the textbooks.   

Nelson Longsworth of the Quality Assurance and Development Services:

“We have achieved a considerable amount of distribution of books to schools.We have all books in the country.The processing involves putting two stamps in each book,and I think we are a bit delayed in that process,but our last check on Friday,in one district we have like 95% distribution and in the other districts in might not be as high as 75%,but we have most of it in the schools.What the schools are as to do is to then process it for students,so I think what we’re seeing now is that process is being undertaken this week,and children should be receiving their books within this week,especially the larger districts like the Belize and Cayo districts.” 

Longsworth said the ministry is facing some problems in the number of books available at certain schools.  He said this may be as a result of variations of projected students to enroll at different schools.    

Nelson Longsworth of the Quality Assurance and Development Services:

“What are some of the issues is that we’re finding that the projected numbers per schools was a projection and we have variations.So I think that is part of what we’re trying to do this week.Some schools got more books than they needed according to the projection but at the end of the day,the projection is what we expect the enrollment to be and just to find that it’s either less or more,and that issue of redistributing those books,will continue for this week and possibly into next week.The amount ordered and received in country,is to ensure that all the children in primary schools will receive a set of books for themselves according to the level and according to the program that’s dictated.” 

Longsworth said there should not be a great effect on the students’ learning because of the late distribution.     

Nelson Longsworth of the Quality Assurance and Development Services:

“Well it really has an effect,but the effect is not as significant now as it is by next week or the following week because of the nature of September.And,quite a lot that is done by the teachers in other aspects of getting the school ready.But at the end of the day,if a school receives less per a class,and I’m quite sure it’s not the entire student body,a class might be affected as I mentioned.Let’s say the enrollment last year was  50 and the projection would now be 55,but yet there’s 57 people in the class,that process of reconciliation has to happen,and it’s starting now where the principals are reporting back to us that they are short two here or there are overs,because the overs then need to be sent back so that we can satisfy those who need.So it’s a process of reconciliation that we’re working on right now.” 

Longsworth said while some schools are facing shortness of  books,  other schools have extra textbooks. 

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