tudents of the schools run by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) suffer due to the unavailability of textbooks each year but the delay in printing may run even longer this time.

This is because the order for printing the books was given to the publisher in December when it is usually placed in October.

FDE officials say efforts are being made to ensure textbooks are provided on time and at the start of the new academic session. However, the FDE does not have a director general to pursue the case and ensure the books are delivered on time.

Responsible for looking after the affairs of 422 educational institutions, the FDE is currently headless.

The last DG, Shahnaz Riaz, retired in Dec 2016 and a new DG could not be appointed as yet.

Books should ideally be given to students on the last day of an academic session when they receive their results. Schools then go on a one-week summer break before the next academic session starts.

`We don`t have a DG to pursue the case properly though the suppliers told us the books will be supplied on time. However, given the past record I am not very optimistic,`said an FDE official.

The order has been given to the National Book Foundation (NBF) and some private publishers.

Last year, Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry had taken notice of the books being supplied late and directed both FDE and the book suppliers to ensure they are provided on time.

When asked, CADD spokesperson Attiqur Rehman said the placing of the order in December instead of October would not affect supply and that the CADD minister was monitoring the situation himself.

`We used to give the order only to NBF before and this time we also involved some private publishers which is why the placing of the order was delayed. But we will ensure the books are supplied on time,` he said, adding that consultations are underway for appointing an FDE chief.