The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) is gearing up for a grand textbook festival on January 1, 2024, with a commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of 30.7 crore textbooks to 3.81 crore students across various education levels.
As the final stages of printing and distribution unfold, the NCTB remains optimistic about successfully executing this mammoth undertaking.
In the upcoming year, 30.7 crore textbooks will be distributed to students spanning pre-primary, primary, secondary, secondary vocational, ebtedayee, dakhil vocational, ethnic minority, and visually challenged categories.
Notably, this marks a slight reduction compared to that in the previous year, attributed to the forthcoming introduction of new curriculum books for Class X in 2025, as per board officials.
According to sources, primary level students constitute 2.14 crore, and secondary level students stand at 1.67 crore. Additionally, 2.05 lakh textbooks will be allocated to students from five minority groups in 2024. Speaking to Bangladesh Post yesterday, Md. Shah Alam, PA to NCTB Chairman, said that the majority of the printing work has been completed, indicating the board's readiness to adhere to the schedule.
Excitement surrounds the announcement ceremony scheduled for December 31, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will declare the commencement of the new curriculum.
In 2024, the new curriculum will be embraced by second, third, eighth, and ninth graders, following the successful implementation among first, sixth, and seventh graders in the previous academic year.
The phased introduction of the new curriculum involves its rollout for Classes II and III at the primary level and Classes VIII and IX at the secondary level in 2024, with a final adoption slated for Classes IV, V, and X in 2025.
It is emphasized that Class X students in 2024 will not require new books, as the new curriculum books for this class will be distributed in 2025, according to earlier explanations by NCTB officials.
While the NCTB remains confident in meeting the distribution timeline, concerns have been raised by leaders of the Bangladesh Printing Industry Association. They express apprehensions about potential delays due to the prevailing political situation and road violence, hindering the transportation of raw materials to various regions.
Highlighting the significance of timely distribution, it is pertinent to note that delays in the delivery of free textbooks were observed in 2023. Until the end of February, numerous pupils in different districts did not receive their new textbooks, as reported by various newspapers.
Bangladesh Protibondhi Biddyaloy Shikkhok o kormochari Porishod Chairman Shamsul Haque said to Bangladesh Post yesterday that they are enthusiastic for the upcoming book distribution event. They are receiving government free books regularly every year.
In 2023, a staggering 33.91 crore books were distributed, surpassing the quantity slated for 2024. The slight reduction in the number of books for the upcoming year is attributed to the non-publication of Class X books in 2024.
Since 2010, the government has been actively distributing free textbooks to students across pre-primary to secondary levels, ensuring widespread access to educational resources.