Lakhs of faulty textbooks remain stacked at the Directorate of Textbook Production and Marketing in Odisha, sparking outrage among parents and educationists.
Despite widespread criticism, printing continues, leaving large quantities of error-ridden books unused in open storage.
Officials admitted that textbooks supplied to schools this year contained factual inaccuracies, grammatical mistakes, and printing flaws. Teachers reported being asked to correct mistakes during classroom teaching, but many believe this is only a temporary solution. Parents expressed frustration, demanding error-free materials for children.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took strong action on Wednesday after reviewing the issue at Lok Seva Bhawan. He directed immediate correction of all mistakes and emphasised accountability. School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and senior officials joined the virtual meeting.
The Chief Minister announced the formation of a three-member high-level committee under Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh. Culture Department Secretary Bijay Ketan Upadhyay and General Administration Department Deputy Secretary Smita Pani will serve as members. The committee will investigate how the printing errors occurred, identify responsible officials or agencies, and submit its report within seven days.
Majhi expressed strong displeasure, saying such lapses undermine the credibility of the education system. He ordered strict disciplinary action against those found guilty and directed officials to ensure accuracy in all future publications. The government also plans to review the textbook preparation process thoroughly and implement stronger quality checks.
Education experts warned that unchecked errors could compromise learning standards. The Odisha faulty textbooks controversy has now become a major test of accountability in the state’s education administration.
