Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education, Arshad Ayub Khan, has ordered an investigation into the alleged printing of additional textbooks worth 130 million rupees by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board, and has directed that legal action be taken against those involved.
Expressing strong displeasure, the provincial minister said that the printing of 400,000 extra books has caused a loss to the national treasury, and those involved in this matter cannot be forgiven, says an offical statement here.
The provincial minister also instructed the Textbook Board officials to ensure transparency in the printing of textbooks and to align the existing printing procedures with rules, regulations, and financial guidelines.
He issued these directives while presiding over a briefing session regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board.
The briefing was attended by Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education, Muhammad Khalid, Chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board, Abidullah Kakakhel, Secretary of the Textbook Board, Dr. Zainullah and other officials.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Textbook Board gave the provincial education minister a detailed briefing on the board’s affairs.
While expressing his views on the occasion, the provincial education minister said that the Textbook Board must take special care in the printing of books and ensure printing according to actual needs and market demand. He also emphasized the need for immediate measures to prevent wastage of funds on textbooks and to ensure high-quality standards for curriculum books.
Furthermore, he said that for the next academic year, with changes to the curriculum from grades nine to eleven, the availability of new textbooks for students must also be ensured.