Free Textbook Distribution Begins
Srinagar, Nov 9: The government Monday commenced free textbook distribution for the students in government schools from class 1st primary to 8th. According to Greater Kashmir, the distribution process was started by the minister for education who personally visited several schools and distributed the textbooks and uniforms among the school children of the district.
JKBOSE Announces Distribution Schedule
As already reported, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has notified a schedule for the distribution of free textbooks to government schools across Kashmir from November 9, 2026. The schedule outlines a phased approach, beginning with Srinagar on November 9th and progressing through various districts over the following weeks.
Phased Distribution Timeline
- November 9-13: Srinagar, Bandipora, Kulgam, Kupwara
- November 14-16: Anantnag
- November 17-18: Budgam
- November 19-20: Pulwama
- November 20: Ganderbal
- November 21: Shopian
- November 23-26: Baramulla (three phases)
Logistics and Responsibilities
The Deputy Secretary (textbook section) of JKBOSE has instructed Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to depute representatives from Zonal Education Officers’ (ZEO) offices to collect textbooks from the JKBOSE textbook store at New Campus, Bemina, Srinagar. According to the report, the central government provides these textbooks to children in government schools, but printing delays have resulted in a later start to the distribution process.
Official Statements
Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, Chairman JKBOSE, stated that the distribution will be completed in 8-10 days and that the total number of children for whom textbooks are printed is 8,20,000. He added that over three lakhs of children are in Kashmir and more than four lakhs in Jammu.
Teacher Concerns
Despite the schedule, some teachers have expressed concerns about the delayed distribution, citing a recurring pattern of delays that impact students. “This is not for the first time that textbook distribution has started late,” one teacher told Greater Kashmir, wishing to remain anonymous. They noted that textbooks typically reach schools by the end of October, but delays often occur, impacting students’ ability to begin the new academic year with updated materials.
Source: Greater Kashmir. Featured image credit: Greater Kashmir.
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