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Lack of Resources

Printing textbooks outside

Dhaka may hit snag

Ershad Kamol
The government initiative to print textbooks for primary and equivalent students outside Dhaka might hit a snag due to lack of printing resources.
As a result, students might not receive the books of the next academic year in time, publishers said, but the government believes that the entire nation will benefit from this initiative.
Unlike previous years, the government has decided to publish textbooks for primary school and Ibtedia in six divisional headquarters -- Dhaka. Chittagong. Rajshahi, Khulna, Bansal and Sylhet - this year. Earlier, these books were published in Dhaka by Bangla Bazar-based publishers.
This initiative will help eliminate the syndicate of Bangla Bazar-based unscrupulous publishers, which will ultimately help the entire nation," Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told The Daily Star
Around eight crore textbooks will be printed at an
estimated cost of Tk 150 crore, majority of which will be published from outside Dhaka, sources said. Publishers will be invited to print and bind the books through tender.
And the books will be distributed for free at schools and Madrasas through the District Primary Education Office.
But some publishers expressed scepticism about the success of the government move.
"Publishing textbooks is a highly technical issue. Since only a few publishing houses outside Dhaka are equipped with adequate printing resources, the government decision might hit a snag," said Abu Taher. chairman of Bangladesh Pustak Prakashona O Bikreta Samity.
"Moreover, power crisis and shortage of binders at the divisional towns are major obstacles to making the plan a success," he added.
"We have already informed the ministry of its disadvantages several times." he continues. "If the publishers outside Dhaka fail to deliver.
there won t be enough time to print the books in Dhaka, since the publishers in Dhaka by that time will remain busy publishing textbooks for the secondary level and its equivalent students. As a result, primary' students might not receive books in time."
The government shquld have taken such a decision after creating enough facilities for the job. he added.
According to sources, around 1200 printing presses, across the country are capable of printing textbooks. Of them, 1000 presses are located in Dhaka.
However. National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Chairman Prof Md Mostafa Kamaluddin is hopeful of making the plan a success.
He said the District Primary Education Officers, District Education Officers, Thana Nirbahi Officers and Deputy Commissioners will work together with the NCTB officials to implement the project.
"In the event of failure, we will get two more months to resolve any problems," he
said. "Our plan is to complete everything by October. If the plan fails, we will be able to complete the job in November and December."
Besides, the textbooks would also be available on website, he said, adding that anybody can download them via Internet.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid. however, accused the publishers of making confusing comments on the government move.
"A vested group of publishers are against the decision of publishing textbooks outside Dhaka. But someone has to take such an initiative to break the monopoly of a group of Dhaka-based publishers. They are also against the government decision of giving textbooks for free," he said.
Instead of criticising the ministry, the publishers should come forward to make the plans a success for the interest of the entire nation, the minister said.
He also said the government would provide allout support to make the project a success.