BHAKTAPUR: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, on Tuesday reached Janak Education Materials Centre (JEMC), Sanothimi, Bhaktapur and took stock of the progress of textbooks printing.

Talking to media persons after monitoring the JEMC and its activities, Minister Pokharel said that homework was on to expand JEMC’s offices in all seven states and print and distribute textbooks from there.

On the occasion, the JEMC assured the team led by Minister Pokharel that the textbook printing for the next academic session and distribution would be concluded within April 12.

The management side of the JEMC briefed the team that activities are underway making an arrangement of necessary machines and papers for the same.

The JEMC has printed a cent percent quantity of textbooks required for classes 2 to 4 for the coming academic session. A total of 17.558 million textbooks for class 2-4 have already been printed.

Similarly, the JEMC has set a target to print 27.234 million textbooks for class 5-10, 46 percent of progress has been achieved in it so far. Responsibility has been given to JEMC and the press of the private sector to produce textbooks and distribute it.

Saying basis has been created where textbooks would reach the hand of every student before the new academic session, Minister Pokharel said, “While viewing the current situation of textbook printing, it is guaranteed that we can fulfill our responsibility to take textbooks at the hand of every student on time.”

He said that his dream and decision of printing colorful textbooks in 2072 BS has now been materialized.

Colorful textbooks of basic level are being printed on ‘Wood Free’ paper as per the direction of the government.

The Education Minister also stressed that JEMC to change itself to print textbooks and distribute it on time, adding that the JEMC should bring a new plan and works to make JEMC self-dependent along with textbook printing as the JEMC has new technology and machines.