Despite year-round preparation, uncertainty has arisen over delivering textbooks on time for the 2026 academic year in Bangladesh. Nearly 35 crore textbooks are planned for printing, with 21.9 crore for secondary levels, including approximately 6.5 crore for ninth grade alone. Although the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) aimed to complete printing by October, only 2 million ninth-grade books have been printed, and 14.5 crore books for grades six to eight have not yet started. Over one crore students risk not receiving textbooks within the first two months of the academic year.
Printing house owners allege delays are due to NCTB officials’ negligence, whereas NCTB cites lack of approval from the Ministry of Education, which led to tender cancellations. Government budgets allocated 3.15 BDT per book for grades six to eight, but syndicates accepted lower rates, prompting a rise in low-quality paper use. Key syndicates include Rabbani Jabbar of Ananda Printers and Md. Kabir of Master Simex Paper Limited.
Currently, 103 printing houses are engaged in textbook production. The purchase order for ninth-grade books was notified on 27 October, delaying printing until December due to contract processing. The notification for grades six to eight has been issued only recently.
Internal mismanagement within NCTB is also cited as a factor. Approximately 30% of primary-level textbooks have been printed on substandard paper. The pre-distribution agent, Infinity Survey and Inspection (BD), oversees quality control, with its owner Md. Monir allegedly demanding bribes for issuing certificates of quality paper.
Authorities maintain that all measures are being taken to ensure the timely delivery and quality of textbooks for students.
GLIVE/TSN