Timely distribution of textbooks

TEXTBOOKS reaching the primary and secondary schoolchildren on schedule,   their new academic year has begun on an auspicious note. It was undoubtedly a formidable task to achieve amid long spells of nationwide shutdowns and blockades.
It has all been possible, thanks to the relentless efforts of education minister Nurul Islam Nahid who completed this Herculean task.
We may also note that the results of junior and primary school certificate examinations were successfully published on December 29th and 30th, 2013 with highest ever pass percentages. And the list of similar records that the minister has set in the education sector is indeed remarkable, particularly by past standards.
The huge task of distributing around 300 million textbooks among some 30.73 million pre-primary to ninth grade students to every school of the country is something easier said than done. But proving many a naysayer wrong, Nahid has proved that it is possible. And millions of happy schoolchildren in proud possession of their textbooks bear testimony to this fact.
As one would expect, none of the achievements that go to Nahid's credit came easy to him.  His path was never smooth, strewn as it was with hurdles created not only by the traditional bureaucracy but also by some of his own political colleagues.
Unquestionably, in addition to commitment to the cause, steadfastness and efficiency, it was his personal honesty and integrity that  helped him most to overcome the obstacles in his way.
The looming clouds on the political horizon notwithstanding, the silver lining of the New Year is that at least the school-going children of the country will have something to rejoice over.