M M Jasim :
The new primary level books, which will be distributed on the first day of the next year by the government, are being sold in city’s book markets illegally. A powerful syndicate is working behind this, it is alleged.
The guardians are also buying the books with high price for their children in advance as they want to make their children a bit fast in homework.
Meanwhile, the authorities of National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) told this reporter that they do not know how the books came to the market.
Sources said, a syndicate comprising officials of NCTB, teachers and officials and employees of the publishing houses transfer the books to different book stalls in the city and pocket a huge amount of money from the book sellers.
The primary books are available in Nilkhet, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Bangla Bazar and some other book markets in the city.
Shamsunnahar, a guardian, bought a set of Class one books from Pirjonggi Market as her child was admitted to a school in class one. She searched an old set of books but she did not get.Finally, she bought a set of books at Tk 250. Rahat Hossain, another guardian, said, his son was admitted to University Laboratory School and College in class one, but he has to wait one month for getting books. That is why he bought the books with high price.
Md Badrul Islam Chowdhury, owner of Fenli Library and Publications said, the guardians always seek the books of primary and secondary level before formal distribution by the government in the schools. “To meet the demands of the guardians my employees might have bought these books from Banglabazar and sold to the guardians,” he said.
Member of NCTB Professor Miah Enamul Siddique said, “I do not know about the matter. We will look into it and take tough action against those who would be found involved with the irregularities. We will also form a probe committee to investigate the matter soon.”
