KOCHI: The Kerala Books and Publications Society has completed printing and distribution of textbooks for all classes for the academic year. Unlike previous years, printing started early helping KBPS finish distribution of textbooks by the beginning of academic year. KBPS managing director Tomin J. Thachankary said that distribution of textbooks started by mid February and it took nearly three months to complete it.
“The KBPS directly purchased the paper for printing which helped it to save considerable time. Every staff member of KBPS took a lot of effort to meet the target,” he said. Printing of books started in October, two months before the normal schedule as there was no change in contents. Special software named textbook monitoring distribution system was developed to monitor printing and distribution. Instead of the earlier practice of handing over books to district level depots, this year, the books were directly supplied to the societies in schools. The distribution system was divided into three phases to avoid the possible delay.
“Books for Classes VIII, IX and X were distributed in the first phase and in the second phase the remaining books were supplied. If any additional printing is needed, it will be done in the third phase and will be supplied,” he added. Schools can contact the KBPS helpline numbers in case of shortage of texts. Meanwhile, printing of the second volume of books which have to be made available by October 30 will start soon. As many as 2.4 crores of books have to be printed which is expected to be complete in four months. The third volume of textbooks has to be printed and distributed before December 31.
