Two Months Into the Academic Year, Three Million Textbooks Still Unprinted

Staff Reporter

Two months into the current academic year, the Yunus government has still not provided all the textbooks to students. Several textbooks, including the Class 9 English book and other secondary-level books, have yet to be printed. According to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), nearly three million textbooks remain unprinted.

The NCTB has assured that students will receive their textbooks by March 10. However, previous assurances from the NCTB and interim government advisors that students would get their books on time have failed.

On January 9, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Chief Advisor, had announced that all textbooks would be distributed by February. Later, on January 13, Education and Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud also assured that textbooks would reach students by February. However, none of these promises have been fulfilled, and students are missing out on regular lessons, causing concerns about completing the syllabus on time.

The NCTB has blamed the owners of printing presses for the delay, stating that although there is sufficient paper stock, the presses have not been collecting it. However, press officials claim that the delay is due to the government’s failure to provide paper on time.

NCTB Chairman Professor Dr. A.K.M. Riazul Hasan confirmed that three million textbooks are yet to be printed due to the paper issue, but assured that all textbooks will be printed and distributed by March 10.

Tofayel Khan, President of the Printing Industry Association, questioned how textbooks could be delivered by February if the paper had only been arranged in March. He also mentioned that the NCTB had delayed the first batch of paper and had not provided the second batch of paper on time. This forced some printers to purchase paper from outside sources.

According to NCTB, the total demand for textbooks this academic year is nearly 400 million, with 231 million books required for secondary and madrasah levels and 92 million books for primary level. Of these, three million books are still to be printed.

So far, 274 million 43 thousand 72 textbooks have been printed for secondary schools, but over three million books are still waiting for distribution. For primary schools, out of the 91 million 12 thousand 16 hundred 610 books printed, 1.1 million books are yet to be printed.

Parents feel that the focus on suppression and meticulous conspiracies by the Yunus government, rather than on delivering textbooks, has put students’ education at risk.