Children’s textbooks terribly illustrated

Low quality papers, pathetic illustrations offer shock to children
Textbooks at primary level published by National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) appear to be unattractive to children because of substandard illustrations and the very design of the books, said educationists, academics and experts.
Children learn half their lessons through illustrations as the visual presentation helps students learn the textual information. As this part is not given proper importance, the books fail to create any appeal to them, they added.
Apart from low quality papers, most of the illustrations are of poor quality and not proportionate to the length of the texts, which fail to draw students’ attentions essential for a book at this level.
Interestingly, the quality of illustrations has declined sharply compared to those of eighties and early nineties though new techniques have evolved in the printing sector, said academics.
Most of the books, especially Bangla of class III and IV, Paribesh Parichiti (Samaj) of the same classes have smaller front cover illustration.
Besides, pictures and texts in some books, especially mathematics of class II and I, are so crowded that they give headaches to students rather than creating a relaxed mood.
Which is why, the government has recently formed a five-member committee to bring changes in the cover designs and illustrations of the textbooks so that they appear to be engaging to students, said NCTB Chairman Mostofa Kamal Uddin.
Headed by Prof Rafiqun Nabi, dean of the fine arts department of Dhaka University, the committee will look into the matter, he said.
The academics say illustrations give children a fuller understanding of the book’s contents and these should be crafted carefully so that they go with the story and give the children a clear conception of what the story is telling about.
When multi-colours are being used in textbooks across the globe to make it appear more gripping and intriguing to children, most of the textbooks of NCTB, except the books in class and class , have only black and white colour illustrations.
Sources said NCTB hires some inept artists for the illustrations of the textbooks responsible for the poor quality of pictures and sketches.
Experienced and competent artists are not interested in doing illustrations of NCTB’s textbooks as the board offers a negligible amount of money for the job, they said.
Talking to The Daily Star, noted artist Prof Hashem Khan said illustration is as important as the texts, because children learn mostly through visual entertainment, but the authorities concerned don’t seem to give proper attention to it.
“Children get flabbergasted at the very early stage if they do not find pleasure in their books and school,” he said, adding that it is unfortunate that the illustrations in most of the textbooks have been designed haphazardly, which are not appropriate for the children.
Prof Hashem who used to do illustrations for NCTB books, said apart from illustrations, designs of books meaning that the proportionate presentation of texts and pictures, and bookbinding are also very poor.
“Crafting illustration for the children is not an easy work as it needs proper merit, training and expertise,” he added.
“It is believed that two kinds of writers are there for children’s book — ones who write books while the others are illustrators. The latter is neglected in our country,” Hashem lamented.
Eminent educationist and writer Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal told The Daily Star that the illustrations at the primary-level books are not at all appropriate for the children.
“Most of the pictures seem to have been done insincerely and in some cases it is hard to find consistency between the texts and pictures,” he said.
Though four colours have been used in the pictures of some books, they are not vivid, he said, adding that the conditions of Madrasa books are extremely bad.
“Illustration is one of the important mediums for teaching children,” he said, adding: “Books for the children, especially the younger ones, should be picture based and they should have large, beautiful, colourful and eye-catching illustrations and simpler texts.”
M Siddiqur Rahman, a professor at the Institute of Education and Research of Dhaka University, said proper language and attractive illustration are equally important while giving any idea to the children as they can memorise a topic easily through pictures.
“The cover page along with other pages and the bindings also cannot be considered as good-looking and durable,” he said.
“I think NCTB crammed too many smaller pictures and texts together in a single page only to reduce the cost,” he said.
Prof Rahman, also a member of National Education Policy Formulation Committee, said the quality of the textbooks will not be changed if non-professional people do the job.
NCTB Chairman Mostofa Kamal Uddin, however, claimed that the prominent artists do the complicated illustration works.
“Multi colours have never been used in the illustration at primary level as it is a huge task,” he said, adding that they will do their best to make the books attractive to children.

Courtesy of The Daily Star