Textbook Scandal: 17 Printing Houses Embezzle 355 Crore Taka!

Staff Reporter

Several printing houses have embezzled 355 crore taka by producing free textbooks for the 2025 academic year using substandard paper while manipulating inspection agencies. So far, 17 printing houses have been identified, and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has issued show-cause notices to their owners. Sources confirm that payments to these printing houses have been withheld, and steps are being taken to blacklist them.

Sources reveal that over 40 crore textbooks were distributed this academic year, but allegations have surfaced that they were not printed according to the specified standards. In response, the government launched a nationwide crackdown. Under NCTB’s supervision, 32 teams—comprising two inspection agencies and two intelligence agencies—collected samples from all 64 districts for lab testing. The tests confirmed that at least 8 crore out of the 40 crore textbooks were printed on low-quality paper, violating tender conditions regarding paper thickness, brightness, and durability (bursting factor).

It has been learned that the NCTB outsources textbook inspections to private “third-party” agencies, whose role has long been controversial. For the past 16 years, these agencies have allegedly operated as shadow entities for printing houses. The entire production and supply process is overseen by Pre-Distribution Inspection (PDI) agents, while Post-Distribution Inspection (PLI) agents verify quality at district and upazila levels. At the primary level, the same company handles both roles, whereas separate firms are assigned for secondary textbooks. Notably, these agencies bid for tenders at half the actual cost.

On this matter, former NCTB Chairman Professor AKM Riazul Hasan stated in February, *”Inspection agencies are willing to conduct inspections for free.”*

Allegations suggest that each inspection company takes bribes of 5 to 10 crore taka from printing house owners in exchange for favorable reports. Though a three-tier inspection system is supposed to ensure quality—checking paper quality before printing, during production, and before delivery—it is rarely followed. Rules mandate 24/7 monitoring at printing houses to prevent substandard production, but in reality, each inspection company has only 30-40 staff for 115 printing houses, most of whom are unskilled. Some even hire school and college students at 8,000 taka per month to inspect books—despite their lack of basic paper quality knowledge.

Further allegations claim that printing house owners cover the inspectors’ lodging, food, and salaries, rendering quality checks ineffective.

Multiple NCTB officials admit that despite deploying their own officers and three inspection agencies this year, substandard books still reached schools. Primary-level books had fewer issues, but many failed durability tests. Secondary-level books, however, were extremely poor—lacking required thickness, brightness, and durability.

Printing houses strategically supplied low-quality books to rural areas beyond district and upazila centers. This time, samples were collected exclusively from rural areas to expose more violations.

For secondary books, the PDI agent was *Bureau Veritas*, a globally reputed firm that undertook the work for just 32 lakh taka—the lowest bid in a decade. For primary books, *Phoenix* handled both PDI and PLI roles. Such agencies often win contracts through low bids but later engage in irregularities.

Meanwhile, *Hi-Tech Survey BD*, tasked with post-printing quality checks, is collecting samples nationwide for lab testing. Its owner, Md. Bipul, confirmed that 17 printing houses have been identified and served notices.

An NCTB official stated, *”If there are flaws in the books, the inspection agencies are responsible.”* A former top official of the printing industry association remarked, *”Despite multiple government agencies monitoring the process, substandard books being supplied means there’s a ‘ghost in the mustard seed’—deep-rooted corruption.”* Efforts to contact NCTB’s acting Chairman, Professor Rabiul Kabir Chowdhury, for comment were unsuccessful.