BSS) – School students were delighted to receive new textbooks on the very first day of the year as book distribution began on Thursday morning across primary and secondary educational institutions.

Although no formal inauguration ceremony was held in Khulna, textbooks were distributed in the classrooms of primary and secondary schools in the city.

However, not all institutions were able to distribute 100 percent of the books on the first day.

At Government Coronation Girls’ School in Khulna city, students from classes III to VI received all their textbooks, while students of classes VIII, IX and X received the books partially. No textbooks for class VII have yet reached the school authorities.

Students expressed their joy at receiving new books on the first day of the year, saying it was a special experience for them.

“The smell of new books is different. We will look through the books today and start studying from tomorrow,” some students said, adding that receiving books at the beginning of the year motivates them to study better and perform well in examinations.

According to the District Primary Education Office, primary-level students in Khulna have received 100 percent of their textbooks.

However, in secondary, madrasa and technical institutions, the demand was 28.18 lakh textbooks for around 2, 44,000 students, against which about 18.50 lakh books have been distributed so far—which is 66 percent of the total requirement.

At the divisional level, there remains a shortage of approximately 63.52 lakh textbooks across 10 districts of Khulna division, making it impossible to distribute all new books to every student on the first day of the year.

Sources said that in 3,019 educational institutions (schools and madrasas) under the Secondary and Higher Education Khulna region, the total demand was 2.12 crore textbooks, while 1.48 crore books have arrived so far, leaving a shortfall of about 63.52 lakh.

Khulna District Primary Education Officer Sheikh Ahidul Alam said all primary-level textbooks have reached the schools and there is no shortage at that level.

“Distribution of textbooks at all primary schools started from Thursday. As it was a day of mourning, no festive programme was arranged, but students received their books,” he added.