Education Advisor Wahiduddin uncertain about textbook distribution completion timeline

He cites delays in printing, urges oversight on corruption in education administration

Education Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud has said although authorities are keeping track of daily textbook distribution, he cannot specify when the process will be completed.

“My officials have given different dates, but I haven’t. I once said I don’t know exactly, and people responded, ‘if the education advisor doesn’t know, who does?’” he said while speaking to journalists after the education and planning session on the first day of the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Sunday.

"I said I don’t know because I can’t give a specific date. Every night, I receive data on how many books are printed and distributed. By analysing the graphs, I can estimate our progress," he explained.

Discussing the delay in printing and distributing textbooks, Wahiduddin said: "We previously said books for subjects included in annual exams are expected to reach students by the end of February. We had instructed that marginalised schools should receive books first."

When asked if any instructions had been given to the DCs regarding the full distribution of textbooks, the advisor said: “I have said that essential books and those needed for year-end exams should be provided by February.”

Wahiduddin also highlighted corruption in the education administration, saying: “There is a lot of corruption in the education system. I have asked for increased monitoring.

“Teachers often do not receive their allowances on time and face harassment from school inspectors. Both sides share the blame, and this requires oversight,” he added.