Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Tuesday said he could not confirm when all students will receive their textbooks in the current academic year.
He said this while replying to a question from reporters at the Secretariat following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.
Textbooks were not fully distributed before March in the previous time, he said.
The printing process began late this year and the books had to be revised, and both the syllabus and curriculum underwent changes, said the adviser.
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“The number of textbooks has also increased. Unlike before, no books are being printed abroad and this year, we’re seeing the actual capacity of our country in printing books which naturally caused delays,” he added
Addressing the shortage of art paper used in printing, the adviser said, “This year, even after recovering all the art paper stock from various warehouses, we realised there was still a shortage. Ships carrying art paper will arrive soon.”
Primary and secondary level students on January 1 got over 60 million copies of free textbooks across the country.