Kathmandu, April 17

The Department of Education has started distributing free textbooks to community school students from today.

Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel had earlier announced a ten-day campaign to distribute free textbooks beginning today. He had also urged ministers, lawmakers and other senior officials to visit their districts and monitor textbook distribution.

DoE had also published 35,000 units of pamphlets with message to the parents and others concerned about the availability of textbooks.

Khagraj Baral, director general, DoE who is returning to Kathmandu today after inspecting textbook distribution in a few districts said textbooks have reached most of the districts in sufficient quantity. “We have also mobilised our staff in various districts to monitor availability of textbooks,” he said.

He added, “Textbooks of Grade VI and certain optional subjects were in short supply in some districts,” he added.

The ministry had earlier planned to begin textbook distribution with a formal programme.

“The ministry is trying its best to organise a formal programme to distribute textbooks to students through Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s hands,” he added.