On the first day of the 2026 academic year, 1 January, at least 30 per cent of Class 7 students and 40 per cent of Class 8 students will not receive their new textbooks.
However, nearly 100 per cent of Class 6 and Class 9 students will get new books. National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) sources confirmed the matter to TIMES of Bangladesh on Sunday.
Sources indicated that approximately 80 per cent of the printing and 60 per cent of the distribution for secondary, dakhil, dakhil (vocational), and technical level textbooks have already been completed.
The NCTB is, however, optimistic that 100 per cent book distribution can be ensured by 15 January.
According to a NCTB press release, from Sunday, the online versions of a total of 647 textbooks for pre-primary, primary, ebtedayee, small ethnic groups, the Braille method, secondary, dakhil, and technical levels are available on the NCTB website (www.nctb.gov.bd and www.nctb.portal.gov.bd).
Teachers, students, and guardians can download and print these books.
Relevant authorities had undertaken the task of printing and supplying a total of 30.2 crore copies of textbooks for the 2026 academic year. The work for 11.70 crore textbooks for pre-primary and primary levels has already been completed cent per cent and delivered to all educational institutions.
Consequently, on 1 January, all regular primary and ebtedayee level students will receive their textbooks, as will all students requiring Braille method textbooks, and 100 per cent of textbooks printed in five languages for small ethnic groups.
The printing work for secondary and technical level textbooks is also now in its final stage.
