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Dilly-dallying may delay primary textbooks

SULTANA RAHMAN
Thousands of primary students in the city may not get textbooks by January next year, as the authorities did not wake up in time to printing and distribution of the books.
Although the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), the body in charge of textbook distribution, claims to finish the job by January, publishers would be able to print a negligent number of books by that time, sources close to the industry said.
The education ministry gave the work order five weeks late on October 24, making uncertain whether the students will get their books before the start of next academic year. Some 200 printers have been tasked with bringing out primary books and 39 printers were given the job to print madrassah books.
The sources blamed the education ministry for ignoring its responsibility to ensure timely distribution of books.
But State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Hoque assured that the textbooks would reach the market in time despite the delayed work order. "The work is in progress and we are optimistic about bringing out the books by January next year," he said.
According to the NCTB, it will bring out 6.68 crore textbooks for primary students and 2.89 crore books for madrassah students this year, which requires at least three months to print. But none of NCTB officials agreed to comment on the issue by name.
"We have now only two months to publish and distribute the books. We have a few steps more to go before we hand over all books, which is hardly possible by January," said an official of the publishers' association.
"Power cuts are also hampering the work that may turn as another cause of delayed distribution," he added.
Even if the publishers can afford to complete the printing of textbooks by January, the binders have yet to agree to do their job within the period, sources said.
It is grossly alleged that the bidding committee did not give the tender to the lowest bidder in line with the law and it happened under the pressure of the education ministry.
Habibur Rahman, NTCB production controller, felt able to distribute
books by December but admitted that the work order came later than expected which might delay the process.
The city is home to 24 governmental schools and more than 100 private schools, with about one lakh students studying in them. Not only the students, but also their parents and teachers worry whether they will get books in time.
The uncertainty over availability of books adds to the anxiety of parents who are battling for enrolment of their children in schools of good repute.