Bhaktapur, Jan 7: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, today reached Janak Education Materials Centre (JEMC) Ltd, 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 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 cent per cent quantity of textbooks required for class 2 to 4 for 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 per cent progress has been achieved in it so far. Responsibility has been given to JEMC and press of private sector to produce textbooks and distribute it.

Saying basis has been created where textbooks would reach at the hand of every student before 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 colourful textbooks in 2072 BS has now been materialized. Colourful 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 new plan and works to be make JEMC self-dependent along with textbook printing as the JEMC has new technology and machines.

Similarly, Secretary Dahal stressed that the capacity of JEMC's staffs should be developed and JEMC should reform itself as per the time.

Likewise, JEMC's Managing Director Mahesh Timilsina said that JEMC has started completing the textbook printing on time for the past two years.

As per the National Policy of the government, the JEMC has been producing and distributing school-level textbooks for the past 65 years.

The team had monitored and inquired about colour printing of textbooks, new machine of high-technology and physical structures of JEMC.