Punjab may face a shortage of textbooks in the next academic year as delays in issuing printing tenders for primary school books raise concerns about timely publication. The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PECTAA) has issued tenders for textbooks for grades 6 to 10, while tenders for grades 1 to 5 are still pending.
According to reports, around 30 new textbooks for nursery to grade 5 are scheduled for publication next year, with a target of printing approximately 300 million books. Printing tenders were issued in September last year, but the process for primary school textbooks remains incomplete as October reaches its midpoint.
The delay has raised concerns among publishers, particularly because the new academic year in private schools begins on January 1. Publishers have urged the authorities to issue the remaining tenders immediately to prevent possible shortages.
Meanwhile, the Education Department has assured that tenders for grades 1 to 5 will be issued soon. The department also said all textbooks would be available before the start of the new academic year.