The textbook festival will be held on January 1 this year. On the occasion of the book festival, the joy of getting new books works among the students. But this year the book festival will not be about all books. Because four books of the class eight and nine have not been completed yet. According to the latest data, less than half of the books of the class nine-eight have been printed. That is, more than half of the books in these two categories have not been printed yet. The officials of NCTB are talking about irony on behalf of the printing press owners. Although press owners are blaming educationists, NCTB. However, educationists say students should have access to books at the correct time. Authorities should show more responsibility in writing and printing books. It is known that there were rumors of postponing the book festival due to the election, but finally, the book festival will be held on January 1.
The Ministry of Education has taken such a decision on the instructions of the Prime Minister. In an event on November 26, the Education Minister said that due to the election, the book festival could be held on 10-11 January 2024, this time. Discussion and criticism started in different places. As a result, in a meeting of NCTB, the Ministry of Education, and other officials yesterday, it was decided to hold a book festival on January 1. NCTB officials said that for this year's book festival, 100% of the primary books have reached the upazila level. Work on books for classes VI and VII is also nearing completion.
But one book of class VIII and three books of class IX have not yet gone to the press. The books are Class IX History and Social Science, Science Practice, and Science Inquiry lessons. And Class VIII history and social science books. At the same time, 28 percent of class IX and 38 percent of class VIII books have been printed. There is concern about printing all the books till the book festival. Although the NCTB officials are blaming the printing press owners.
In this regard, the chairman of NCTB said that many printing press owners are printing books on time but some owners are delaying. The delay is due to them. If they can't, we will give it to other owners. Although some press owners said on condition of anonymity, NCTB gave us the order less than a month ago. Because they are late, we are also late. According to the rules, we are supposed to give 50 days. NCTB Chairman Professor Farhadul Islam said that the book festival is held on the 1st of every year.
Although the book festival is supposed to be postponed due to the election, the book festival will be held on time according to the instructions of the Prime Minister. Criticism about books Last year there was a lot of criticism about some books. We are working very carefully so that this does not happen again this year. That's why it takes a little longer. However, educationists are speaking differently in this regard. Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, former director of education and research department of Dhaka University said, NCTB has 12 months to write and print the book. They have 8-10 authors of a book. Why does it take so long? The actual study period for the students is from January to March. At this time they can read freely. The weather is favorable. But this time was spent getting books for students. The authorities should be more responsible in this regard.
ARS
