LAHORE:Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) on Wednesday refused to print books at the old rates causing huge hurdles for students.

After the PCTB decision, students of the sixth, seventh and eighth classes would not be able to get new books on their syllabus. This has exposed the sheer incompetence of the School Education Department (SED). Publishers have refused to pay heed to PCTB and now SED announcement to provide books to students by July 15h would not be fulfilled. Now, books will not be available by July 30.

Zia-ur-Rehman, President Serving Wing of Publishers, demanded the government to announce subsidies on paper. He claimed that students’ precious three months would be wasted if no books were available. The SED said that the department has been taking steps to ensure the availability of books on time and claimed that students would get books by month-end.