PESHAWAR: Minister for elementary and secondary education Faisal Khan Tarakai on Monday directed the provision of textbooks to the students in all the public sector schools by the beginning of the new academic year so that their education wasn’t affected.

He issued the directives while chairing a meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Text Book Board here.

He assured the participants of the timely release of funds for the purpose.

KP Text Book Board chairman Faral Saqlain, special secretary education department Isfandyar and other officials were in attendance.

The minister was informed that so far about 28 per cent supply of books to schools had been completed, while the total demand was about 39.3 million books.

He was told that 354 circles at the primary level and 28 circles at the secondary level had been established for timely supply of course books across the province.

The minister was further told that the supply of books would start from the second week of April.

He was further informed that this year the supply of books had been kept low, as according to the government’s policy, books used by former students would be provided to the children at high and higher secondary school level with a view to controlling the expenditures, besides ensuring the timely supply of books to students.

Faisal Tarkai directed the authorities to be in constant contact with the publishers to ensure timely provision of books.

He said the government and was committed to providing quality education to children at public sector schools.

He directed chalking out a plan for supply of books to schools in remote and hilly areas without delay, saying that the principals and in-charges of schools should encourage students to submit old books to school administrations and bring those into use.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2024