The government is set to begin the printing, binding and supply of around 12.53 crore free textbooks for secondary-level students under the 2026 academic session.
The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase on Wednesday approved three major procurement proposals submitted by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed chaired the committee’s 42nd meeting of the year virtually.
According to Cabinet Division officials, the proposals cover the printing of textbooks for classes six, seven and eight across secondary schools, Dakhil madrasahs and technical education institutions, in both Bangla and English versions.
For Class Six textbooks, the total estimated cost is Tk 137.87 crore, under which more than 4.36 crore copies will be printed by 77 selected firms out of 98 bidders.
Similarly, for Class Seven, the government will spend Tk 150.01 crore to print over 4.15 crore copies, to be produced by 91 firms chosen from among 100 bidders.
The Class Eight printing contract, worth Tk 156.92 crore, covers more than 4.02 crore copies to be printed by 90 firms selected through a competitive tendering process.
The committee reviewed the cost structures, tender process and volume of work for each grade before recommending the proposals for approval.
Each year, the government prints and distributes crores of free textbooks nationwide to ensure access to education and prevent dropouts. Timely printing and distribution ahead of the academic year remains a key priority for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
