Kerala Books and Publications Society completes printing, supply of textbooks

Kochi: In a record of sorts, the government-owned Kerala Books and Publications Society (KBPS) has completed printing and distribution of textbooks for the next academic year. More than 96 per cent of the printing and distribution of the first volume of textbooks has been completed, said K. Karthik, chairman and managing director of KBPS. “Within two days, the entire process can be completed. As many as 3,07,99,000 textbooks have been completed in the first volume which amounts to 60 per cent of the total order for the next academic year. A total of 1,95,21,700 books have to be printed and distributed in the second volume while the number of books required in the third volume is 69,39,300,” the officer said while addressing the media here on Tuesday.

Though the government has fixed the deadline for completing distribution of textbooks as April 15, the process could be completed well in advance. The deadline for printing and distribution of second and third volumes of textbooks is August 30 and November 15.

“We will be able to meet the next two deadlines as well. Utmost care has been given to the quality of printing paper. Only high quality paper is being used, the Society even returned 200 metric tonnes of paper this year which was found to be substandard,” he added. After taking the order for textbooks, the KBPS will print, bind, pack and dispatch them to district hubs. The books will be later sent to the nearly 3311 school societies from where it will be distributed to schools. There will be five schools under each school society. The KBPS has increased the printing charge by 35 per cent this year.