Textbook printing for Grade 11 may be delayed in Kenya — Nation Kenya
In Kenya, the printing and distribution of textbooks for Grade 11 may be delayed because of the government’s debt to publishers for previous deliveries. The amount stands at 7 billion Kenyan shillings. According to Nation Kenya, school administrators are concerned that students moving from Grade 10 to Grade 11 in January may be left without the necessary learning materials.
Publishers have not yet started printing
Publishers holding the contracts have not yet started printing, citing unpaid bills. As a result, both the printing and delivery of textbooks for students studying under the competency-based education system are in question.
At the beginning of the year, a shortage of textbooks and delays in their delivery complicated the start of studies for Grade 10 during students’ transition from junior to senior school. Some learning and teaching materials remained unavailable even throughout the second term.
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Printing and delivery require at least 90 days
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development usually begins distributing books among schools in August or September to prepare for the new school year. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers and publishers warned that printing and delivering 7 million copies requires at least 90 days: 60 days for printing and 30 days for distribution.
Last week, the government allocated 2 billion Kenyan shillings to settle payments with publishers. A Nation Kenya editorial notes that the debt problem should be resolved to avoid rushed decisions before the start of the new school year.
