The Government Procurement Advisory Committee has withheld approval for the upcoming academic year’s textbook tenders for three secondary school grades, citing irregularities and corruption. According to sources, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board’s (NCTB) recommendations for all tenders for grades six, seven, and eight for 2026 have been annulled. For sixth grade, 97 tenders covering 4.32 crore textbooks had a total procurement value of BDT 18,04 crore. Seventh grade tenders—94 in number, covering 3.9 crore books—amounted to BDT 20,02 crore, while eighth grade’s 89 tenders for 3.66 crore books totaled BDT 22,31 crore. Altogether, recommendations worth around BDT 600 crore have been canceled. The decision comes after reports of irregularities and corruption in the tender process. Earlier reports revealed that 30% of textbooks supplied to students were of substandard quality. Due to the absence of a regular chairman, no disciplinary action had been taken against the responsible officials.