KPK: Textbooks not delivered to millions of students

The Elementary and Secondary Education Department (ESED) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has failed to provide millions of pupils with free textbooks.

Because the Finance Department has not granted the precise amount of money requested by the ESED, KP Textbook Board (KPTB) has been unable to print textbooks.

KPTB sought Rs. 9 billion in order to publish textbooks. Finance Department only approved Rs. 4 billion, hence ESED was asked to use its own resources to finance the balance.

ESED had made it clear that it would not permit KPTB to pay for the printing with its own funds and that the Finance Department would be responsible for covering the remaining costs.

More than 4.4 million pupils attending more than 29,000 government schools started the new school year without textbooks as a result. The summer break began on June 1 and will end on August 14 while the annual results were released on May 31.

Typically, KPTB prints textbooks and sends them to schools prior to 15 April each year. On results day, books and homework for the summer break are given to the students. This year, it didn't take place, though.