Not all textbooks ready, download from NCTB site suggested

For the first time since 2010, most primary and secondary school students have not received all their books on the first day of the academic year due to printing delays.  

While textbooks for grade one, two, and three have been printed, they have not reached all schools. In this situation, schoolteachers are advising students to access the online versions of the new textbooks, which have been uploaded to the website of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

The NCTB has attributed the delay in new textbooks to their reprint following a change in the political landscape, as well as revisions to the curriculum and content.

However, despite the lack of textbooks, schoolteachers say classroom activities will continue as usual.

Mustari Sultana, assistant head teacher (morning shift) of Viqarunnisa Noon School & College, told TBS today that 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 eighth and tenth graders, she said.

When asked if the lack of books would disrupt academic activities, she expressed confidence that January's focus on extracurricular activities and the availability of digital textbooks would mitigate any disruptions.

Sultana advised students to use old books or print essential chapters from downloaded versions in the meantime.

Professor AKM Riazul Hasan, chairman of the NCTB, has informed the media that there will be a delay in distributing secondary-level textbooks. 

He said all textbooks will remain available in PDF format on the NCTB website. Students and their guardians can utilise these downloaded copies as a temporary measure, he suggested.

Professor Riazul said, "Most households now have access to computers, mobile phones, and the internet. Those who experience a slight delay in receiving their textbooks, can initially continue their studies by downloading PDF files from online sources. If necessary, they can even print the first few chapters. There should be no disruption to the learning process."

First day of textbook distribution

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

Some schools managed to distribute a few textbooks for grades one to three.

At Ispahani Girls School and College of Eskaton in the capital, tenth grader Sumaiya Rupa said, "We received three books—Bangla, English, and maths—but no science or art books yet."

Similarly, eighth-grader students of the institution reported receiving only English, maths, and Islamic studies books.

Second-grader Sabina Akter said, "Our teachers said we'd receive new books in a few days." 

Similar situations were reported in many schools across the country.

Revision of textbooks

In the Bangladesh and World Identity books for fifth to tenth grades, Major Ziaur Rahman has been referred to as the declarer of Independence. The image of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on the cover of all the books and her quote on the back cover has been removed.

According to NCTB sources and reviews of the online textbooks, six new essays, poems, or rhymes have been added to the fifth grade's Amar Bangla Boi. Among them, one essay is based on the July Revolution.

In the sixth grade's Charupath, two prose pieces have been added. Among them, one focuses on the July Revolution.

From the same book, a poem titled "Mujib" by Rokonuzzaman Khan has been removed. Additionally, in the sixth-grade Bengali grammar and composition book, an essay titled "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman" has also been dropped.

In the seventh grade's Saptabarna, a poem titled "Sithi" by Hasan Robayet, written about the July Revolution, has been added. Conversely, two poems including one titled "Shono Ekti Mujiborer Theke" by Gauri Prasanna Majumdar were excluded.

In the eighth grade's Anandapath, a novel by Muhammed Zafar Iqbal has been removed.

On the other hand, three lessons, including "Son of the Soil" and "Mujib in School Days," have been removed from the sixth grade's "English for Today" textbook.

In the seventh grade's English for Today, two new lessons focusing on the July Revolution have been added. 

On the other hand, three lessons — Bangamata: Our Source of Inspiration, Bangabandhu's Love for Sports, and Bangabandhu's Response to Natural Calamities — have been removed.

In the eighth grade's English for Today, the lesson titled "Bangabandhu and Bangladesh" has been removed. Two new lessons including one on the July Revolution have been added.