Staff Reporter :
Education and Planning Adviser to the Interim Government, Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, has admitted uncertainty regarding the timely delivery of textbooks to students for the current academic year.
He told during a press briefing following a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Addressing concerns, the adviser attributed the delays to multiple factors, including a late start in the printing process.
“We had to revise the books, and the syllabus and curriculum needed to be redone. The number of books required has increased significantly,” he said, adding that this year’s effort marked the first time all books were being printed domestically, testing the full extent of the country’s production capacity.
Mahmud also highlighted a shortage of materials essential for book production. “Even after recovering all the art paper stored in warehouses nationwide, it became evident there was still a shortage. Ships carrying art paper have already departed from abroad,” he explained.
When asked for a timeline on the distribution of textbooks, the adviser admitted, “I cannot say when everyone will receive all their books.”
The delay has sparked concern among educators and parents, who fear that students’ academic schedules might be disrupted. With the academic year already underway, ensuring equitable access to textbooks remains a pressing issue for the education sector.
This marks the first time in recent history that Bangladesh has opted not to print any textbooks abroad, a move aimed at bolstering domestic production.
However, logistical challenges and shortages in raw materials have underscored the need for greater preparation and resource allocation to meet the demands of a growing student population.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation and providing updates as the distribution process progresses.
