Dhaka: Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder emphasized the critical role of quality textbooks in developing an educated, skilled, and disciplined nation. He highlighted that textbooks should be assessed not only on appearance but also on age-appropriate content and effective presentation, which are crucial for children’s learning. Prof Bidhan made these remarks during the inauguration of the “Uploading Soft Copies of Textbooks for the 2026 Academic Year on the Website” program.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Bidhan shared that the government has undertaken the massive and challenging task of printing and distributing over 30 crore textbooks nationwide. To ensure accessibility for Bangladeshi children residing globally, these textbooks have also been made available online. Prof Bidhan pointed out that while it is challenging to deliver printed textbooks worldwide, providing them online marks a significant achievement.
He acknowledged the inevitability of minor errors in large-scale operations, such as mistakes in printing, binding, or distribution, and noted that these issues often gain media attention. He urged a focus on other critical yet less-discussed aspects, such as the appropriateness and presentation of textbook content for specific age groups.
Prof Bidhan also mentioned that the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) dedicates substantial efforts to managerial tasks like printing and distribution, while its primary responsibility should be intellectual and academic work. By better dividing responsibilities and focusing more on content and presentation improvements, he believes textbooks can become not only visually appealing but also more meaningful and child-friendly.