Banned guide books on sale defying HC directive
A section of bookstall owners have continued sale of banned note books and guide books in different upazilas of Sirajganj district as there is hardly any action against the authorities concerned are turning blind eyes.
A High Court directive, which prohibits printing, publication, supply and sale of note books and guide books, keeps provision for seven years of rigorous imprisonment or fine of Tk 25,000 or both for breach of the rule.
But a number of printing presses in Sirajganj town are involved in printing and supply of the notes and guides using the names of some renowned Dhaka-based publications or libraries like Jupiter, Panjery, Palki, Anupam, Internet, Lecture, Galaxy, Jhalak, Star and Newton.
Some influential bookstall owners at Station Road and Bahirgola, locally called 'Boi Patti', are carrying out the trade of banned notes and guidebooks allegedly after managing some dishonest officials of district administration. Even, some textbooks, supplied by the government for free distribution, are sold at a few bookstalls.
Stall owners supply the notes and guidebooks to the school students allegedly through a section of teachers, headmasters and leaders of different teachers' organisations in exchange of good sums.
During this correspondent's visit to different schools in nine upazilas of the district, many students said they have already gotten all of the required notes or guidebooks.
They said they have to read the guides, as most of the teachers do not teach well in classes.
"In most cases, teachers tell us to memorise the lessons at home. So, we read the notes or guides to learn the answers to questions," said a student.
"If a teacher discusses the lessons properly in the class, students would not need notes or guides. But students still depend on notes or guidebooks, as many teachers fail to perform their duty in classes," said a teacher seeking anonymity.
"A student can make good results by reading the main textbook with attention. There is no need for any note or guidebook for this," said Latifa Khanom, acting headmaster of BL Government High School in Sirajganj town.
This correspondent also visited a number of bookstalls in Sirajganj town.
A few stall owners seeking anonymity said they sell the note books and guide books to the students secretly through some agents who are involved with different schools. For this purpose, they pay give some financial benefit to the teachers.
Several printing presses in the town, involved in printing and supply of the notes and guidebooks, use the names of a few renowned publications of Dhaka, they added.
When contacted, Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Md Humayun Kabir said there will soon be drive against the illegal activities with the help of mobile courts.
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