The first day of 2012 will be celebrated as "Text Book Distribution Festival" in all primary and secondary schools and madrasas across the country.

The government will distribute 22,13,66,383 copies of free new books among 3,12,13,759 students of primary, secondary and technical education schools, and Ebtedayee and Dakhil madrasas.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid will inaugurate the festival through distribution of books atViqarunnisa Noon School and College at 10:00am. He will also hand over books free of cost to the students of Motijheel Government Boys School at 12:00 noon.

Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on education ministry Rashed Khan Menon, Education Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Chairman of National Curriculum and Textbook Board Prof Mostafa Kamaluddin and Director General of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Prof Noman-ur-Rashid are expected to be present at the book distribution ceremony.

Meanwhile, primary and mass education Minister Dr Mohammad Afsarul Amin will also hand over colourful books among junior school students of city's Motijheel Ideal Government Primary School tomorrow at 11:00am.

Textbooks have already reached the schools in all upazilas.