Publishers of primary-level textbook have agreed to print textbooks following the withdrawal of a some conditions set by the World Bank to maintain the quality of textbooks.
An alliance of the local printing press owners gave their consent to start printing the books by submitting a no-objection letter and started printing the books yesterday, sources at National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) told the Dhaka Tribune.
The World Bank, set to donate Tk18 crore for the textbook publishing, set a few conditions for the NCTB to follow on August 17 in order to be eligible for the money.
Among the conditions were payment of bills of the printers and publishers after the WB verified the books’ quality, assessment of performance guarantee and increasing the security deposit of the donation from 10% to 15%; if the WB was satisfied with the textbooks’ quality, the money would be paid in full.
The WB’s decision was deemed offensive by the printers and publishers, who met with Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Monday and urged him to resolve the issue, refusing to start printing otherwise.
The minister later had a meeting with representatives of the WB, ADB, and the NCTB, following which most conditions were withdrawn.
Only the condition of raising the security deposit to 15% is going to be implemented.
Over 113 million textbooks will be printed for primary students for the 2016 academic year.
