The government has approved plans to print, bind, and distribute more than 125.3 million free textbooks for secondary students ahead of the 2026 academic session.
The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) on Wednesday endorsed three major procurement proposals submitted by the Secondary and Higher Education Division.
The meeting, held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, was chaired virtually by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, according to official sources.
The proposals cover textbooks for classes six, seven, and eight across secondary schools, Dakhil madrasas, and technical education institutions, in both Bangla and English versions.
For Class Six, the government will spend Tk137.87 crore to print 4.36 crore copies, with contracts awarded to 77 firms selected from 98 bidders.
Printing of Class Seven textbooks will cost Tk150.01 crore for 4.15 crore copies, to be produced by 91 firms chosen from 100 bidders.
Meanwhile, Class Eight textbooks will require Tk156.92 crore for 4.02 crore copies, with 90 firms awarded contracts through competitive bidding.
The Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education will implement the projects.
Officials said the committee reviewed cost structures, tendering processes, and workload distribution before recommending approval.
Each year, the government distributes free textbooks nationwide to ensure access to education and reduce dropout rates.
Timely printing and delivery ahead of the academic year remain a top priority for the Ministry of Education.
The recommendations will now be forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval, paving the way for printing to begin so that students receive their new textbooks on the first day of the 2026 school year.
