The contention of a study on the National Curriculum and Textbook Board by the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) does in no way make the NCTB any proud. Titled 'National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB): Challenges of Good Governance and a Way-out in its Manuscript Formulation and Publication Management', the study has hardly anything good to say about the way this vital organisation in charge of textbooks for young learners operates. Irregularities and corrupt practices vitiate the process of publication and work orders placed for the purpose, claims the TIB. The NCTB lacks in the required capacity and professional skill to monitor the activities related to publication of textbooks. This at times hampers the supply of textbooks across the country in time, observes the TIB.
What the TIB has found is mostly related to financial matters where several stakeholders want to have more than their fair shares. There were instances of attempts by syndicates of publishing houses to blackmail the NCTB so that it capitulated to their illogical demands. Even the fire that gutted a large number of textbooks at a godown is often viewed as part of a conspiracy to undermine the government. Why the report on the fire incident could not be conclusive and published is rather a mystery. At one point, the authorities had to get a portion of the textbooks published from abroad in order to get over the arms-twisting tactics resorted to by the local publishers. All this is an indication that the financial stake involved with publication of textbooks acts as an incentive for several parties to go about manoeuvring the publication market. The NCTB proves at times helpless before such intrigues and at other times some of its functionaries willingly collude with dubious elements in the publication industry.
Whether the NCTB makes the wrong moves by default or become a party to those hardly make any difference in the end result. The TIB has concentrated more on the financial irregularities and the last time's ploys to inject some 'communal' elements into the textbooks. The arbitrary changes brought about have certainly told on the quality of textbooks highlighting the misgovernance in the organisation. What, however, is missing is the selection process of writers and editors for textbooks. In fact, this is a neglected area in this part of the world. If textbooks are not up to the mark, this is no one's headache. The kind of effort a textbook demands is missing here. This should be taken care of.
So, the suggestion made by the TIB for elevating the NCTB to an independent commission deserves serious consideration. Educationists -retired and active in service but willing to give enough time - academics, eminent writers and editors have to be involved with this daunting task. Textbooks alone can be an exciting tool for students to pursue their studies with dedication. But insipid and uninspiring textbooks can pour cold water on the interest of students in a subject. Only a commission of the most prominent educationists and writers can give students the kind of textbooks they love. So, let there be a commission which will not bother about administrative power and monetary matters except the quality of textbooks.