Educational Publications Department – Commissioner General – Mr. P.N. Ailapperuma says that around Rs. 16,000 million is required to print school textbooks required for the new school year of 2023.
The total cost for this year is Rs. 2,338 million and accordingly, next year’s cost has gone up by sevenfold.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Cabinet approval has been granted to print 45% of the textbook requirement for next year by the State Printing Corporation while the Ministry’s Procurement Division is working to get the necessary paper under the Indian credit scheme.
The remaining 55% will be printed by the private sector.
The Commissioner General has told the media that 22 private sector companies have been selected and printing will commence as soon as the order is given.
As the third school term for the year 2022 ends in March, the Commissioner General is confident that all the textbooks required for the new school year can be provided to all schools by next April.
