New Delhi: A day after TOI reported that lakhs of students from classes I to VIII in Delhi govt schools had not received textbooks even after the academic session began on April 1, education minister Ashish Sood on Friday assured that students would receive their books within April.Sood said the delay was due to the process of floating of tender adopted for printing textbooks, which, he pointed out, was helping Directorate of Education cut costs by 30-35% and allowing better utilisation of resources. He added that the books were being printed in improved quality and distribution had begun for primary classes in municipal schools.The minister said govt initiated the tender process soon after taking office and was attempting to reform the system used for printing and supplying textbooks. “Earlier, students sometimes remained without textbooks for months. Our aim is to streamline the system and we are progressing towards that,” he added.Sharing data from previous years, Sood said delays in textbook distribution had happened in earlier years as well and the timelines had varied significantly. According to figures cited by govt, supply in the 2025-26 academic session began on March 30, 2025, and continued until June 30, 2025, while in 2024-25, the distribution started as late as on May 6 and concluded on June 30, 2024.As per data, in 2023-24, textbooks began reaching schools on April 17, 2023, with supply continuing until July 6. In 2022-23, distribution began on June 3, 2022, and extended till Sept 27, while in 2021-22, it started on April 13 and concluded on July 28.Sood said distribution for the current academic year had started, particularly for primary classes in MCD schools, and would gradually expand to all students. “Books have started reaching corporation schools first. Classes I and II are being supplied initially, and the rest will follow. Our effort is to ensure that all textbooks are distributed within April,” he said.The minister added that govt was closely monitoring the process to ensure that the tender was executed on schedule. “Our entire effort right now is to make sure the tender is implemented on time so that students receive their books as soon as possible.”The issue came to the fore after the academic session began on April 1, with lakhs of students from classes I to VIII in Delhi govt schools yet to receive their textbooks. An education activist has also written to chief minister seeking immediate intervention.
