ZCZC
BSS-27
PM-TEXTBOOKS-INAUGURATION
PM opens free textbook distribution tomorrow
DHAKA, Dec 29, 2017 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate free textbook distribution programme for the academic year 2018 tomorrow as the “National Textbook Festival” is set to be celebrated across the country on January 1.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally open the free textbook distribution programme by handing over books of primary and secondary levels to students at a function at her official Ganabhaban residence at 10 am tomorrow,” official sources said.
They said a total of 35,42,90,162 textbooks will be distributed among over 4 crore pre-primary, primary, secondary, ibtedayi, dakhil vocational, SSC vocational, small anthropological groups and visually-challenged students across the country.
An additional 71,93,369 textbooks were printed for the students of next academic year as the number of students increased by 10,70,966 this year.
Referring to the government’s historic decision to distribute free textbooks, experts said this has reduced the rate of school dropouts and increased the number of students at primary and secondary levels.
They described the initiative of free textbook distribution as a “milestone” in the education sector as it encouraged students to continue their studies.
The present government started distributing free textbooks from 2010 academic year.
BSS/MMR/SH/GA/1752