Finance and Commerce Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed today (24 September) affirmed that the government would ensure distribution of free textbooks among primary students in due time.
“We’ve taken an important decision today. We’ve given clearance for printing, binding and supplying of textbooks for primary school students so that they
can get such books in due time. We’ll ensure that,” he said.
The adviser said this while talking to the reporters this evening after chairing the fifth meeting of the Adviser Council Committee on Government Purchase in this year held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat today.
The Directorate of Primary Education under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education would procure textbooks including printing, binding and supply works for classes 1, 2 and 3 in 20 packages under 88 lots for the academic year 2025 with a cost of Tk147.98 crore.
When asked about the standard of paper and printing of new textbooks, Salehuddin said, “We won’t comprise on the standard of such textbooks as highest possible standard will be pursued.”
He said the meeting preferred using the paper of Karnaphuli Paper Mills since it is of good standard.
Replying to another question whether the new book distribution programme (Boi Utsab) will be held on 1 January 2025, Salehuddin said he was not sure whether the Boi Utsab would be held or not, but assured that the students would get textbooks during that time.
