Punjab is planning a major reduction in the printing of free textbooks for government schools, even as officials report an increase in student enrollment across the province.
More than 60 million textbooks were printed for government schools during the 2022-23 academic year. However, the planned number for the 2027-28 session has fallen to just 24.1 million copies, marking a decline of around 60 percent.
The reduction has raised questions about how the provincial government will meet the educational needs of millions of students. According to officials, the lower printing requirement is linked to the reuse of textbooks through the book bank system and the outsourcing of several government schools.
At the same time, Punjab’s government school enrollment has reportedly crossed 10.5 million students. Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has also claimed that student enrollment has increased by 2.5 million.
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پنجاب کے سرکاری اسکولوں کے لیے مفت درسی کتابوں کی چھپائی میں تقریباً 60 فیصد کمی کا منصوبہ سامنے آیا ہے۔ 2022-23 کے تعلیمی سال میں 6 کروڑ سے زائد کتابیں چھاپی گئی تھیں، جبکہ 2027-28 کے لیے صرف 2 کروڑ 41 لاکھ کتابیں چھاپنے کا منصوبہ بنایا گیا ہے۔ دوسری جانب پنجاب کے سرکاری اسکولوں میں طلبہ کی تعداد 1 کروڑ 5 لاکھ سے تجاوز کر چکی ہے اور صوبائی وزیر تعلیم رانا سکندر حیات کے مطابق داخلوں میں 25 لاکھ کا اضافہ ہوا ہے۔ حکام کا کہنا ہے کہ کتابوں کی کم چھپائی کی وجہ بک بینک سسٹم ہے، جس کے تحت گزشتہ سال استعمال ہونے والی قابلِ استعمال کتابیں نئے طلبہ کو دی جائیں گی۔ اس کے علاوہ کئی سرکاری اسکولوں کی آؤٹ سورسنگ کو بھی نئی کتابوں کی طلب میں کمی کی ایک وجہ قرار دیا گیا ہے۔ تاہم، ماضی میں کتابوں کی قلت اور تقسیم میں تاخیر کے واقعات کے باعث نئے تعلیمی سال میں تمام طلبہ تک مفت کتابوں کی بروقت فراہمی ایک اہم چیلنج رہے گی۔
Punjab Free Textbook Printing Falls by Around 60%
The planned printing of free textbooks for Punjab’s government schools has dropped significantly compared with the 2022-23 academic year.
During 2022-23, more than 60 million textbooks were printed. For the 2027-28 academic session, the government plans to produce only 24.1 million copies.
The figures show a major change in the province’s textbook printing requirements.
| Academic Session | Textbooks Printed or Planned |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | More than 60 million |
| 2027-28 | 24.1 million |
| Reported reduction | Around 60% |
This decline comes at a time when the government has reported higher enrollment in public schools. The difference has drawn attention to the system being used to distribute textbooks among students.
How Many Free Textbooks Will Be Printed for 2027-28?
Under the new printing plan, textbooks will be produced for different grade levels, including primary, middle, and secondary classes.
The reported distribution is as follows:
| Class Level | Planned Textbooks |
|---|---|
| Primary Classes | 14.8 million |
| Grades 6 to 8 | 4.3 million |
| Grades 9 and 10 | 3.2 million |
| Total of Listed Categories | 22.3 million |
These figures cover the listed class categories. The overall reported printing plan is 24.1 million copies, so the remaining quantity has not been specified in the available breakdown.
Primary classes will receive the largest share of the planned textbooks, with 14.8 million copies allocated for younger students.
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Why Is Punjab Printing Fewer Free Textbooks?
Officials from the Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU) have explained that the reduction in new textbook printing is being managed through the book bank system.
Under this arrangement, schools collect textbooks from students at the end of the academic year and reuse suitable copies for the next group of students.
This approach is intended to reduce the need for printing new books every year.
Officials have also pointed to the outsourcing of several government schools as another reason for the reduced demand for newly printed textbooks.
The main reasons given for the lower printing requirement include:
- Book bank system: Schools reuse textbooks collected from previous students.
- Reduced demand for new copies: Reusable books are expected to meet part of the requirement.
- Outsourcing of schools: Officials say the outsourcing of several government schools has affected the demand for newly printed textbooks.
However, the success of this approach depends on the availability and condition of reused books and whether every student receives the required textbooks on time.
Punjab Government School Enrollment Crosses 10.5 Million
The reduction in textbook printing comes alongside reports of increasing enrollment in Punjab’s government schools.
The total number of students enrolled in public schools has reportedly crossed 10.5 million. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has claimed that enrollment has increased by 2.5 million students.
Higher enrollment means that schools must ensure sufficient learning materials are available for students across different grades.
Although the book bank system can help reduce printing costs, authorities will need to make sure that reused textbooks are available in sufficient numbers and remain suitable for classroom use.
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Students Have Faced Free Textbook Supply Problems
The lower printing plan has also drawn attention because Punjab has already faced textbook distribution issues.
In September, reports indicated that newly enrolled students experienced delays in receiving free textbooks after the summer holidays.
Another report in October highlighted a shortage of approximately 839,000 textbooks. Following the shortage, authorities issued additional printing allocations to help address the gap.
These earlier problems have made the availability and timely distribution of textbooks an important concern for students, parents, and teachers.
For students who depend on government-provided books, delays can affect their ability to follow classroom lessons from the beginning of the academic session.
What Does the Book Bank System Mean for Students?
The book bank system allows schools to reuse textbooks instead of printing a completely new set for every academic year.
For example, a student who completes a class can return reusable textbooks to the school. Those books can then be issued to students entering the same class in the next session.
This system can help reduce printing expenses and limit the number of unused books. However, it also requires proper management.
Schools need to check the condition of returned books, maintain accurate records, and ensure that students receive all required textbooks before classes begin.
If enough reusable copies are not available, schools may still need additional newly printed books to avoid shortages.
What Should Students and Parents Expect?
The reduced printing plan does not automatically mean that every student will face a shortage of textbooks. Officials say the book bank system and other arrangements will help manage demand.
However, the actual situation will depend on how effectively textbooks are collected, checked, stored, and distributed.
Parents and students should keep in contact with their schools regarding textbook availability, particularly at the start of the 2027-28 academic session.
Teachers and school administrations will also have an important role in identifying shortages and informing the relevant authorities so that additional copies can be arranged where needed.
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Final Words
Punjab’s plan to print 24.1 million free textbooks for government schools in 2027-28 represents a significant reduction compared with the more than 60 million copies printed in 2022-23.
Officials say the book bank system and the outsourcing of several government schools have reduced the need for newly printed textbooks. However, the reported increase in student enrollment and previous textbook shortages make timely distribution an important issue.
The key challenge will be ensuring that every student receives the correct textbooks before the academic session begins. The success of the reduced printing plan will ultimately depend on the availability of reusable books and the government’s ability to address any remaining shortages.
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