Printing textbooks this year feels like a battle: Wahiduddin
Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Education Adviser, said on Wednesday that printing textbooks this year has felt like a battle. He expressed his inability to give a specific commitment on when all textbooks would be printed and distributed to students.
He remarked, "The Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) says January 15, while the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education mentions January 30 for the completion of book distribution. However, I will not provide a definitive commitment or comment on when the printing will be completed. Instead, I will share insights into the printing process. In my opinion, the task of printing textbooks this year has ultimately turned into a battle."
Wahiduddin made these comments during his speech as the chief guest at the “Inauguration of the Online Version of Textbooks and Cover Unveiling” event held at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.
He further explained, "The first issue was our decision not to print textbooks abroad. Then, the curriculum had to be changed for unavoidable reasons, increasing the number of books. The work began significantly late, and many books required revisions. In politics, neutrality is rare, so efforts were made to ensure the textbooks remained free from partisan bias."
He added, "Textbooks for children must be printed on high-quality paper. For this, we ensured top-notch printing, paper, and binding. Furthermore, many of those previously involved in NCTB's work were replaced. While the new appointees are experienced, they lacked familiarity with negotiating with leaders of the printing industry. This even required my personal involvement."
Wahiduddin also hinted at possible conspiracies surrounding the textbook process, stating, "Just as a story's conspirator is only revealed at the very end, the same applies here. Whether it involves someone from the government, the Ministry of Education, NCTB, hoarders, or syndicates—anyone could be involved. However, I am not blaming anyone at this point. This experience will help us reduce monopolistic practices in the future and serve as a valuable learning opportunity."
The event was presided over by Professor ABM Rezaul Karim, Acting Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE).
Special guests included Professor Dr. M. Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Education (with the rank of State Minister); Siddiq Zobair, Senior Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education; Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary of the Finance Division; Dr. Kh. M. Kabirul Islam, Secretary of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division; and Professor Dr. AKM Riazul Hasan, Chairman of NCTB, among others.
