All students yet to get new textbooks

On the first day of the year, many primary and secondary students across the country, including Dhaka, returned home without receiving new textbooks.  

While some schools managed to distribute a few books for grades one to three, many others failed to do so. 

At Ispahani Girls' School and College, tenth-grade student Sumaiya Rupa said, "We received three books—Bangla, English, and Maths—but no Science or Arts books yet." 

Similarly, eighth-grade students reported receiving only English, Maths, and Islamic Studies textbooks.  

Second-grader Sabina Akter shared her disappointment, saying, "I didn't get any new books. Our teachers said we'd receive them in a few days."  

Teachers at the school confirmed to The Business Standard that only books for grades eight and ten had arrived, and these were distributed. They also said that requests for first to third-grade books had been made to the authorities, and the books are expected soon.  

This year, the interim government will forego a formal book festival and textbook distribution inauguration. Instead, it plans to launch the digital version of the curriculum at a programme scheduled for 10am at the International Mother Language Institute, with Professor Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud as the chief guest.  

According to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), delays in printing mean students will not receive all their books at the start of the year. While books for up to grade three are ready, fourth and fifth-grade textbooks are still being printed, expected to be delivered by mid-January. For secondary levels, only Bangla, English, and Maths books are being distributed initially, with the remaining books to follow in two phases by 20 January.

The Assistant Head Teacher (Morning Shift) of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Mustari Sultana, told The Business Standard, despite not receiving any official notice for the book festival, the school made informal efforts to distribute textbooks. They managed to provide Bangla, English, and Maths books for grades eight, nine, and ten.

When asked if the lack of books would affect academic activities, she expressed confidence that January's focus on extracurricular activities and access to digital textbooks would mitigate disruptions. She advised students to use old books or print essential chapters in the meantime.  

She also mentioned that primary-level books were distributed based on police stations, and her school's zone, Ramna, did not yet receive books for grades one to three, though other zones did.