Thiruvananthapuram: Even as schools across the state opened on Thursday students will embark on their studies straight away. This became possible because distribution of textbooks was completed before schools reopened. A look at how this was achieved.
CM's supervision
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan personally reviewed the progress of textbook printing. The printing was done exclusively at the government-owned Kerala Books and Publication Society (KPBS). It was also entrusted with the purchase of printing paper this time.
Computer evaluation
A software called 'textbook distribution monitoring system' was designed as directed by education minister C. Raveendranath to review printing and distribution. Teams led by two ADPIs, joint director and textbook officer supervised at the state level. In the districts, it was the responsibility of a team that included a superintendent and two clerks.
Early printing
The first volume started in October, two months earlier than the regular date. Data on the required books was made available by December.
Direct distribution
Books were sent to district depots from where schools used to collect them. This time the supply was made directly to school societies.
Changes avoided
This time, any change in the matter of textbooks has been done away with. That helped avoid the long wait for new content.
Advance preparation
Preparations for the printing of the first volume of textbooks for next year will begin at KPBS this week.
KPBS has started printing the second volume of textbooks that have to be made available by October 30. A total of 2.42 crore books have to be printed in 197 sections.
Around one crore books in 76 sections have to be ready by December 31 in the third volume.