Ahmedabad: The Gujarat State Textbook Board has intensified textbook distribution across the state in a bid to ensure that students receive their books at the earliest, with authorities aiming to complete the exercise within the next week ahead of the school enrolment drive.Officials said nearly 10 lakh textbooks are being distributed daily through the board’s network of distribution centres. On Friday, the board recorded its highest single-day dispatch of 21 lakh textbooks, to clear pending allocations and meet demand from schools.The move comes amid concerns from students and educational institutions over delays in the supply of textbooks even as the new academic session has already commenced. The state govt has reportedly taken note of the situation and directed officials to expedite the process.Sources said around 500 tonnes of books are being transported to districts every day. On Friday alone, nearly 700 tonnes of books were dispatched across Gujarat. In several districts, textbooks have already reached central distribution points and local-level delivery to schools has begun.The Gujarat State Textbook Board has prioritised the supply of textbooks for Classes 9 to 12 and plans to ensure that books reach designated centres before the enrolment drive begins. Officials maintained that the current pace of distribution would help complete the statewide exercise within days.Authorities attributed the delay in textbook availability to disruptions in the printing process. Officials cited global uncertainties affecting the supply chain, including war-like conditions in some regions, as well as a court case related to paper procurement that slowed production and distribution schedules.
