The annual textbook festival traditionally held on the first day of the new year will not take place this year, according to Professor Dr Bidhyan Ranjan Roy Poddar, adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with divisional officials of Khulna on Sunday (8 December), Dr Roy Poddar confirmed the postponement.
He assured, however, that all students would receive their new textbooks within January.
“This year, unlike previous years, the book festival will not occur on 1 January. Nonetheless, textbooks will be distributed to students of all grades within the month of January,” said Dr Roy Poddar.
He attributed the delay to revisions and amendments in several chapters of the textbooks, which have impacted the printing schedule.
In addition, Dr Roy Poddar shared plans to introduce a midday meal programme across all primary schools over the next five years, starting with a project launch next year.
He also highlighted efforts to bring qualitative improvements to the infrastructure of primary schools and other key areas.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Additional Director General of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Md Atikur Rahman, and presided over by Additional Divisional Commissioner (Overall) Hosain Shawkat, who delivered the welcome address. Representatives from the ten districts of Khulna division, including Deputy Commissioners or their deputies and officials from various key offices, were also present.
