Editorial
Delay in textbook printing is worrying
Monitoring system needed to avert such crises
The distribution of textbooks at the primary school level may not run according to plan. Obviously, it is cause for worry especially when one considers the fact that distribution is supposed to begin in the next thirty-eight days. One could suggest, of course, that this period of more than a month before distribution of the textbooks can get underway is good enough for everyone concerned --- the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), teachers and pupils. The problem here, though, is that so far only 28 per cent of the textbooks have been sent to the various upazilas for distribution. As to the rest, no matter what the assurances are regarding a meeting of the target, there is the fear the distribution schedule may not be maintained.
It is clear that those responsible for the printing of the textbooks as also an availability of paper for such printing have not been serious about the job they were expected to do. Where the matter is one of what the printers have been doing, clearly they have adopted a lethargic approach to their work. As for the paper suppliers, they have not been able to keep to their commitment and are perceived to be close to a breach of contract with the NCTB. As we understand it, the printing of as much as 75 per cent of textbooks for classes IV and V are in jeopardy because the paper suppliers, in this instance Nipun Enterprise, were unable to provide the NCTB with the necessary quantum of paper till Tuesday evening. Of course, the suppliers have suggested that they will procure paper from other sources to fulfill their part of the bargain. That is not the point. What is of critical importance here is that they have failed to keep to their promise, with the result that a very large number of primary schools across the country are now faced with the stark possibility of coming by no books for an uncertain period of time.
Swift and corrective action needs to be taken over the matter. In this context, we are reminded of the Herculean efforts which went into the printing and supply of textbooks last year, particularly after a fire gutted large numbers of books and manuscripts. The strenuous efforts the authorities expended at the time to tide over the crisis were indeed laudable. Even so, questions now arise as to why we get bogged down in the kind of problems which assail us at the moment. Exigencies and emergencies are matters the authorities, especially the NCTB, should be prepared for rather than face them at the eleventh hour. There must be a system in place which can monitor the whole process of paper supply and printing of textbooks from beginning to end. That process must include a mechanism for detecting early signals of trouble as well as making mid-course corrections. It is not a comfortable feeling knowing that children in primary schools will need to wait for a good length of time before they can come by their textbooks.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
4 hour(s) ago
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Dolphin deaths must be investigated
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Weak policing fuelling rise in crimes
17 June 2026, 18:18 PM
Editorial
Comments