Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday formally inaugurated the distribution of free textbooks among students up to the secondary level for the academic year 2021.

The premier handed over the books to some primary and secondary level students through a virtual event from her official residence Ganabhaban.

Ministers and secretaries were present at the program held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center auditorium in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the government is handing over new books free of cost to about 4.5 crore students at the beginning of New Year.

On January 1, 2021 the book distribution will begin at educational institutions across the country.

Following that, new books will be distributed to the students of sixth to ninth class in the next twelve days in phases.

Although there is no book festival on January 1 due to the closure of educational institutions amid COVID-19 pandemic, these students are getting free books at the beginning of the year.

Around 35 crore books are being printed in this regard.

Various still images or pictures of Bangabandhu, independence, great liberation war, language movement and various developmental activities of the present government have been added with captions to new books this time.

According to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the total number of textbooks next year is 10 crore 25 lakh 82 thousand and 555.

Of these, 2 crore 59 lakh 92 thousand 671 books for first-second class students, 6 crore 96 lakh 97 thousand 374 books for third-fourth and fifth class students.

BDST: 1200 HRS, DEC 31, 2020
AP/SMS