Over 90pc of secondary textbooks printed

Staff Reporter :

Significant progress has been made in printing and distributing free textbooks for the 2026 academic year, with more than 90 percent of secondary and Ebtedayi-level books already printed and nationwide distribution exceeding 80 percent.

According to the latest statistical report titled “Textbook Printing and Supply for the Academic Year 2026” published by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), 90.12 percent of printing for secondary-level (Classes VI–IX) and madrasa Ebtedayi textbooks has been completed. Overall distribution across the country has reached 80.45 percent, while delivery of Ebtedayi-level textbooks has surpassed 96 percent.

NCTB Secretary Prof Md Shahtab Uddin told BSS that the remaining printing work could be completed by January 15 if electricity supply and transportation remain uninterrupted.

He also called for cooperation from all concerned to ensure timely delivery of textbooks to upazila education offices.

Of the more than 30 crore textbooks scheduled for distribution in the current academic year, over 21 crore copies for Ebtedayi to Class IX have already been allocated.

NCTB officials said printing and binding are now in the final stages, while delivery to education offices across the country is progressing rapidly, with full completion expected within the next week.

Grade-wise data shows strong progress. At the Ebtedayi level, 96.16 percent of textbooks have been supplied, while printing and binding have exceeded 98 percent.

For Class IX, 89.73 percent of books have been distributed. Class VI has achieved an 86.33 percent supply rate, with more than 93 percent of binding completed.

Meanwhile, 71.51 percent of textbooks have been delivered to Class VII students and 57.89 percent to Class VIII. Printing at these two levels is being prioritised, with completion rates of 86.98 percent for Class VII and 76.29 percent for Class VIII.

For the 2026 academic year, a total of 408 crore 24 lakh 4 thousand 460 printing forms were allocated for secondary-level textbooks. Overall printing and binding rates currently stand at 90.12 percent and 88.35 percent respectively.

NCTB Public Relations Officer (Additional Duty) SM Asaduzzaman said the Ministry of Education, NCTB and printing institutions are working in close coordination to ensure 100 percent textbook delivery by January 15.

He added that special monitoring committees have been deployed in areas with lower supply rates, aiming to achieve full distribution at the upazila level within the set timeframe.