MANILA -- State auditors have urged the Department of Education to correct errors in P254.4-million worth of textbooks being used in public schools.

In its 2018 report, the Commission on Audit said errors in the books for Grade 3 students included Aurora and Zambales' description as coastal provinces, reference to Batangas port as an international gateway, the use of water in thermometers and a remark likening the retina to a curtain that covers the eye.

“In effect, the errors/deficiencies found in subject learning materials that are provided to the learners and educators in public elementary schools rendered these instructional materials of poor quality,” the COA report said.

Antonio Calipjo Go, academic supervisor of Marian School of Quezon City, earlier flagged the errors, COA said.

Citing feedback from teachers, the audit team also noted that some topics were repetitive and not in line with the curriculum guide, while the sequencing was confusing and the paper used was of poor quality.

COA added that P113.708 million worth of learning materials procured as buffer stock from 2014 to 2017 were "minimally distributed in the last four years" and "an alarming number" idle in five warehouses.

The DepEd management agreed to the immediately correct the “error-filled” materials, improve their review before publication, and evaluate the controls on buffer stocks, said COA.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones received a copy of the report last June 28.