The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has completed extensive preparations to ensure that students receive their new textbooks by December for the 2027 academic year.
According to the NCTB, the revision and InDesign work of 133 out of 137 textbooks has already been completed. At the same time, work is progressing on four new subject-based books covering Sports, Culture, Learning with Happiness, and Vocational Education.
For the upcoming academic year, the NCTB plans to print 308.31 million (30 crore 83 lakh 12 thousand 680) textbooks for students at the pre-primary, primary, Ebtedayee, secondary, Dakhil, vocational, and technical levels. The tender process for printing the books has already begun with an emphasis on transparency.
NCTB Chairman Mohammad Fakhrul Maula said all activities are progressing according to schedule. If the plan is implemented successfully, textbook distribution will begin in early December.
“Our goal is to place new textbooks in the hands of every student within December. Therefore, all preparatory work is being completed ahead of schedule. We are giving the highest priority to transparency, quality, and timely execution in textbook production,” he said.
NCTB Secretary Shah Muhammad Firoz Al Ferdous said the board is working relentlessly to deliver textbooks to students by December in line with the Education Minister’s plan.
“Experts from the Institute of Education and Research (IER) at the University of Dhaka are providing us with overall support. We are optimistic that the work will be completed within the stipulated timeframe,” he added.
According to NCTB sources, a roadmap is being implemented to ensure that 100 percent of the revised textbooks reach every upazila in the country by November 30. The target is for nearly 40 million students to return home with their new books after the annual examinations in mid-December.
For the first time, the curriculum will include separate textbooks on Sports, Culture, Learning with Happiness, and Vocational Education. Education experts believe these subjects will play an important role in developing students’ life skills, creativity, leadership qualities, mental well-being, and employability.
The NCTB also stated that the new textbooks have been developed by considering national and international experiences, expert opinions, and the needs of teachers, students, and parents. Coordination with district and upazila education authorities has also been strengthened to ensure the swift distribution of books after printing.
Speaking about the textbook content, Chairman Mohammad Fakhrul Maula said the NCTB is committed to producing fact-based and impartial textbooks by eliminating historical distortions and political bias. He added that the board is following the principle of presenting everyone's historical contributions fairly and accurately.
The NCTB expects that if the printing and distribution process is completed as planned, all students across Bangladesh will receive their new textbooks before the beginning of the 2027 academic year.
