Workers engaged in sorting and despatching stacks of newly printed textbooks at a printing press on the outskirts of Vijayawada.
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao on Saturday said that distribution of the ‘Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra’ kits for the new academic year would be delayed by nearly a month due to international war-like situations and an increase in raw material costs.
In a statement, Mr. Rao said efforts were underway to ensure that all students receive textbooks and notebooks by the time the schools reopen by June 12.
He added that the remaining items, including school bags, shoes and uniform, were expected to be distributed by the time the Mega Parents-Teachers Meetings (PTM) would be held.
Mr. Rao said the prevailing international war-like atmosphere had led to shortage of gas, crude oil and raw materials such as fibre. As a result, the prices of crude-based raw materials had risen sharply in the international market. In addition, disruptions in transportation systems also contributed to the delay in manufacturing of uniform cloth, school bags, shoes and other materials. “The suppliers have sought additional time for delivery,” he informed.
Mr. Rao said a team of senior officials was visiting the manufacturing units to accelerate the supply process and ensure delivery within the stipulated timeline. The authorities were reviewing the situation with the suppliers, who were requested to accord top priority to Andhra Pradesh and expedite the supply of materials.
The officials and staff at the AP Government Textbook Press are busy in textbook printing and distribution for the academic year 2026-27.
According to the Director, Government Textbook Press, Madhusudan Rao, a total indent of 1,92,61,242 textbooks was placed with printers across the State, of which 1,82,23,342 books had already been delivered, achieving an overall dispatch rate of 94.61 % as on May 23, 2026.
On the distribution front, against a total district-wise indent of 1,74,83,951 books, as many as 1,32,63,991 books had been sent to mandal points by District Textbook Managers (DTMs), registering 75.86 % distribution. Out of these, Mandal Educational Officers (MEOs) had confirmed receipt of 1,01,95,767 books, accounting for 76.87% confirmation, he informed.
He further said that that reforms in the printing and procurement process for 2026–27 had resulted in an estimated saving of ₹12.03 crore to the government exchequer, including ₹7.50 crore in paper procurement and ₹4.53 crore in printing services. The estimated per-page printing cost had also been reduced to 30 paise.
Published – May 23, 2026 09:18 pm IST
