The Punjab School Education Department has issued instructions to constitute committees at school level to procure books for libraries recommended by the expert committee.
According to a spokesperson of the school education department, with the aim of purchasing books for libraries, a high level committee of eminent writers was formed under the leadership of Dr. Atamjit Singh. Based on the recommendations made by this committee, new guidelines have been issued to the schools.
According to the spokesperson, apart from setting up committees at school level and procuring only from the books recommended by the expert committee, instructions have been given to procure more books on history, culture, geography, sociology, folklore or dialects of Punjab.
Emphasis has been laid on purchasing color and illustrated books to inculcate the habit of reading in the primary school students and attract them towards books. The schools have been directed to avail discounts on books purchased from government publishers as per their policy, besides to avail 25 per cent on books purchased from National Book Trust and at least 40 per cent from private publishers. At the same time, schools have been asked to buy only new books.