Sajha to be allowed to print school textbooks as JEMC fails to deliver

Kathmandu, February 17

Education Minister Dhaniram Paudel said preparations were on to entrust the responsibility of printing school textbooks to Sajha Prakashan as Janak Education Materials Centre Limited had failed to print adequate textbooks.

Addressing an interaction organised by Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business here today, Minister Paudel said the responsibility of printing remaining school textbooks will first be given to Sajha Prakashan and later to private publishers.

“The government is committed to making textbooks available to students before the start of the new academic session, which will begin from April 15,” the minister said, adding that a master plan would be prepared and implemented regarding adjustment of textbook price and management of printing at the regional level.

The JEMC, which is responsible for printing textbooks from Grade VI to X for the upcoming academic session, has so far printed only 60 per cent of the required textbooks. Private publishing houses have been assigned the responsibility of printing and distributing textbooks from Grade I to V.

On the occasion, FNBSB Chairman Hari Aryal handed over a memo to Minister Paudel. The memo, among other things, calls for providing the cost of transporting and distributing last year’s textbooks, which the federation has yet to receive from the JEMC. The JEMC and Sajha Prakashan are both state-owned corporations.