The government has made an all-out effort to deliver freshly-minted textbooks to the school students on the first day of 2024, but a number of concerns including delay in printing the eighth and ninth grade books is threatening to dampen the spirit of celebration.

According to sources at the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, all the books of pre-primary level and of grades one, four and five have already been sent to upazilas. Printing the books for grades two and three have started late due to changes in the curriculum. These books will be sent to upazilas by 15 November.

Printing all the books, except for “History and Social Science”, of grades six and seven is currently going on. There was a delay in signing agreements with presses for printing the eighth grade books. However, printing all but three books of that grade has begun. Printing of the ninth grade books will also start soon, said officials concerned.

However, a number of printing press owners told the Daily Sun there might be problems regarding printing the eighth and ninth grade books. They have just started the work to print the eighth grade books as they received the order only a few days ago.

Meanwhile, the notification of award for printing the ninth grade books was published on 7 November. The press owners will get around four weeks for signing an agreement for printing the books. After that, they are supposed to get 50 days to finish printing the books.

SM Mohsin, owner of Bright Printing Press, told the Daily Sun, “I have not yet received the manuscript of the ninth grade books of the new curriculum. Even if you can finish printing the books of the other grades, there may be some delay in finishing the ninth grade books.”

The authorities reduced the brightness of paper from 85% to 80% to avoid a shortage of printing materials. Industry insiders have alleged that some printing press owners are exploiting this opportunity to print textbooks on poor quality papers.

Shahid Serniabat, president of the Printing Industry Association, told the Daily Sun that many presses are printing books on bad papers due to the reduction in the brightness requirement. Children will not be able to read books even for six months if attention is not paid to maintaining their quality. Some presses are even printing books with newsprint.

NCTB Chairman Professor Farhadul Islam told the Daily Sun, “The progress in printing textbooks is better this year than last year. There is no shortage of paper. There is also no problem with electricity. Hopefully, the book will reach the upazilas by 30 November.

“However, we are a bit apprehensive about the eighth and ninth grade books. We are not compromising on quality. Our inspection team is working regularly at the field level.”

Special arrangements for delivering textbooks

People involved in preparing and delivering the school textbooks have expressed concerns over transportation amid the opposition parties’ hartals and blockades ahead of the national election.

Sources at the NCTB said police security was not required for the books that have been sent to the upazilas so far. However, such steps may be necessary in the future due to the political situation.

NCTB Chairman Professor Farhadul Islam told the Daily Sun, “Books were sent to upazilas in a special arrangement in 2014. There are such preparations for sending books this year too.

“Books may be sent under police protection. They can also be transported by trains and covered vans. Textbooks can also be transported at night or on holidays.”