Strengthen NCTB autonomy instead of shifting textbook duties: TIB
Such a move will only deepen the crisis and coordination failures, it says
The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has stated that transferring the authority for printing, publishing, and distributing pre-primary and primary textbooks from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) to the Directorate of Primary Education will not resolve the deep-rooted governance challenges in the sector.
Describing the move as "cutting off one's head to cure a headache," TIB said the solution lies instead in ensuring effective autonomy, transparency, accountability, and good governance within the NCTB itself.
In a statement issued today (12 October), TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "The interim government's plan to amend existing laws and hand over primary textbook management to the Directorate of Primary Education will only weaken the NCTB, without bringing any qualitative improvement in the system."
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He emphasised that the key to resolving irregularities and corruption lies in establishing strong internal accountability and addressing the governance failures that have long plagued the institution.
"There is no justifiable reason to strip NCTB of its core functions and hand them over to another bureaucracy lacking relevant experience. Such a move will only deepen the crisis and coordination failures," he said.
Iftekharuzzaman also warned that having two implementing agencies in the name of decentralisation would be ineffective if transparency and accountability were not ensured.
"This would merely shift irregularities and corruption from one institution to another," he added.
TIB further noted that while NCTB has often been blamed for delays in book supply, quality issues, and coordination failures, the relevant ministries and departments cannot avoid responsibility.
"The NCTB's inefficiency, irregularities, and professional decline stem from internal conflict, abuse of power, and bureaucratic interference," said Iftekharuzzaman.
He went on to say, "The government must grant NCTB full decision-making authority in all areas — from textbook design to tendering, printing, and distribution — and ensure accountability through proper investigation into the allegations of corruption and negligence raised against it."
TIB called on the government to identify the existing institutional weaknesses within NCTB and implement reforms to establish good governance through autonomy, transparency, and accountability across all stages of textbook management.
