Delhi Education Minister Vows Textbook Distribution Completion Within April
New Delhi: Education Minister Ashish Sood has provided a firm assurance that students in Delhi government schools will receive their textbooks within the month of April. This commitment comes in response to widespread reports that lakhs of students from classes I to VIII had not received their essential learning materials even after the academic session commenced on April 1.
New Tender Process Cited as Cause for Initial Delay
Minister Sood explained that the delay in textbook distribution was primarily due to the implementation of a newly adopted tender process for printing. He emphasized that this revised system is enabling the Directorate of Education to achieve significant cost reductions of 30-35%, while also promoting more efficient utilization of resources. Furthermore, the books are being printed with enhanced quality standards.
"The government initiated the tender process promptly after assuming office, with the objective of reforming the entire system for printing and supplying textbooks," Sood stated. "In previous years, students sometimes went without textbooks for several months. Our goal is to streamline this process, and we are making steady progress toward that objective."
Historical Data Reveals Pattern of Distribution Delays
Providing context through historical data, the minister highlighted that delays in textbook distribution have been a recurring issue. The timelines for supply have varied considerably across recent academic years:
- 2025-26: Distribution began on March 30, 2025, and continued until June 30, 2025.
- 2024-25: The process started as late as May 6, 2024, concluding on June 30, 2024.
- 2023-24: Textbooks began reaching schools on April 17, 2023, with supply extending until July 6, 2023.
- 2022-23: Distribution commenced on June 3, 2022, and lasted until September 27, 2022.
- 2021-22: The supply started on April 13, 2021, and concluded on July 28, 2021.
Distribution Currently Underway for Primary Classes
Sood confirmed that the distribution process for the current academic year has already begun, with initial focus on primary classes in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools. "Books have started reaching corporation schools first. We are initially supplying to classes I and II, and the remaining classes will follow sequentially," he elaborated. "Our concerted effort is to ensure that all textbooks are distributed comprehensively within the month of April."
The minister added that the government is maintaining close oversight of the entire process to guarantee that the tender is executed according to schedule. "Our entire focus at this moment is to ensure the tender is implemented punctually so that students receive their books at the earliest possible opportunity," he affirmed.
Issue Gains Attention Following Academic Session Start
The textbook shortage came into sharp focus after the academic session began on April 1, revealing that a vast number of students in Delhi government schools were still without their required textbooks. The situation prompted an education activist to formally write to the Chief Minister, seeking immediate intervention to resolve the matter swiftly.
