The printing of Punjab free textbooks for government schools is set to fall sharply in the coming academic year. Reports show that only 24.1 million books are planned for the 2027-28 session, compared with more than 60 million copies printed in 2022-23. That is a drop of around 60 percent, at a time when the Punjab government says enrolment in public schools has gone up by 2.5 million students.
This has raised questions among teachers, head teachers and parents: will every child get a book next year? Here is a full breakdown of the numbers, the official explanation and what schools should do.
Punjab Free Textbooks Printing: The Numbers
Under the new printing plan, books will be divided across primary, middle and secondary classes as shown below.
| Level | Books Planned for 2027-28 |
|---|---|
| Primary classes | About 14.8 million |
| Grades 6 to 8 | About 4.3 million |
| Grades 9 and 10 | About 3.2 million |
| Total plan | 24.1 million |
| Printed in 2022-23 (for comparison) | 60 million+ |
Meanwhile, enrolment in Punjab’s government schools has reportedly crossed 10.5 million, and Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has claimed an increase of 2.5 million students.
Why Has Textbook Printing Dropped?
Officials of the Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU) give two main reasons for the lower number:
- Book bank system: schools collect textbooks from students who move to the next class and give them to new students. Reused books reduce the need for fresh printing.
- Outsourcing of schools: a number of government schools have been handed over to private operators under outsourcing schemes, which has reduced the demand for newly printed government textbooks.
Questions Still Unanswered
Critics say these reasons do not fully explain such a large gap. If enrolment has really increased by millions, more children should need books, not fewer. Old books also wear out quickly, and many children in primary classes write and colour inside their books, which makes reuse difficult.
Past Textbook Shortages in Punjab
The cut comes after real supply problems this year. In September 2026, many newly enrolled students did not receive their free books on time after the summer holidays. In October, a separate report pointed to a shortage of around 839,000 textbooks, and authorities had to issue extra printing orders to fill the gap. Teachers fear that a lower printing target could repeat these problems in the 2027-28 session.
The issue also links with the new curriculum plan. Punjab is preparing revised and lighter books for ECCE to Grade 5 for the April 2027 session. If the curriculum changes, old books in book banks may not match the new syllabus, which could increase the need for fresh copies.
Impact on Teachers and Head Teachers
For school heads, the change means more responsibility for running the book bank in government schools. They will need to collect books from outgoing students, check their condition, keep records and distribute them fairly. Class teachers may have to manage classes where some students have new books and others have old copies.
Teachers can help by:
- Asking students at the end of the year to return books in good condition.
- Keeping a simple register of books received and issued.
- Reporting shortages to the AEO or district office early, before the session starts.
- Guiding parents not to write in or tear pages from books.
What Parents Should Know
Free textbooks are still being provided to students of government schools in Punjab. If your child does not get a book, contact the head teacher first and then the district education office. Official notices about textbook distribution are shared by the School Education Department Punjab.
FAQs
How many free textbooks will Punjab print for 2027-28?
About 24.1 million books are planned, compared with more than 60 million in 2022-23.
Why is the number lower?
Officials say the book bank system and outsourcing of some government schools have reduced the need for new books.
Will students still get free books?
Yes, the free textbook scheme continues, but some students may receive reused books from the book bank.
Was there a book shortage this year?
Yes. Reports in September and October 2026 pointed to delays and a shortage of around 839,000 books.
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