Fears of a Punjab textbook shortage are growing as printing tenders for primary classes have still not been issued. According to reports, the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board has issued tenders for books of grades 6 to 10, but tenders for grades 1 to 5 are still pending in the second half of October. Publishers have warned that further delay could leave students without new books when the next academic session begins.
The School Education Department, however, says the remaining tenders will be issued soon and that all textbooks will be available before the new academic year. Here is what is happening and why teachers and parents are paying attention.
Punjab Textbook Shortage: What Is the Issue?
Every year, the textbook board prints and distributes millions of free books to government school students across Punjab, and private publishers print approved books for the market. The printing cycle depends on timely tenders. Last year, printing tenders were issued in September. This year, tenders for primary classes have been delayed beyond mid-October, which has worried publishers who need time to arrange paper, printing and binding.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Grades 6 to 10 textbooks | Tenders issued |
| Grades 1 to 5 textbooks | Tenders pending |
| New books for Nursery to Grade 5 | About 30 titles planned for next year |
| Last year’s tender timeline | September |
| Official position | Tenders soon, books before new session |
New Books for Nursery to Grade 5
One reason the primary tenders are important this year is that around 30 new textbooks for Nursery to Grade 5 are scheduled to be published for the next session. New titles mean new content, new layouts and fresh approvals, all of which take time. If tenders are late, publishers say there is a risk that some new books may reach schools after classes have already started.
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Concerns of Publishers and Schools
- Publishers say they need several months to print and deliver books on a large scale.
- Paper prices and availability can change quickly, making late orders more costly.
- Private schools whose academic year begins in January need books even earlier.
- Government schools rely on free textbooks arriving on the first day of the session.
Publishers have asked the government to issue the remaining tenders immediately to avoid any shortage of books in the market and in schools.
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What the Education Department Says
The Education Department has assured that tenders for grades 1 to 5 will be issued soon and that all textbooks, including the new ones, will be available before the start of the new academic year. Teachers and parents can check approved textbook lists and notices on the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board website.
What Teachers Can Do Meanwhile
Teachers of primary classes should keep last year’s books and digital copies available as a backup and plan the first weeks of the new session with revision activities. Head teachers can record their exact book requirement in the school census so that supply matches enrolment. Keeping close contact with the district education office will help schools get early information about textbook distribution dates.
Why Timely Textbooks Matter
Studies and classroom experience both show that the first weeks of a session set the pace for the whole year. When books arrive late, teachers lose valuable time, students copy lessons from the board and weaker learners fall further behind. Parents in private schools may also face higher prices if books become scarce in the market. That is why the timely issue of tenders is not just an administrative matter but a direct concern for learning in thousands of primary classrooms. Avoiding a Punjab textbook shortage this year will depend on how quickly the remaining tenders are issued and printing begins.
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FAQs About Punjab Textbook Shortage
Which textbooks are delayed in Punjab?
Printing tenders for grades 1 to 5 are still pending, while tenders for grades 6 to 10 have been issued.
Will students get books on time?
The Education Department says all textbooks will be available before the new academic year starts.
How many new books are planned?
About 30 new textbooks for Nursery to Grade 5 are planned for publication next year.
Who prints textbooks in Punjab?
The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board manages approval and printing of textbooks through tenders.