The Ministry of Education has introduced a series of new technological measures aimed at improving the procurement, warehouse management, distribution and inventory control of school textbooks.
The new initiatives were outlined during a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), which reviewed the Auditor General’s reports for 2021 and 2024 on the Department of Educational Publications and assessed its current performance.
Officials informed the committee that, from 2024, the Ministry has implemented a computerised data management system to obtain real-time information from schools on student enrolment, available textbook stocks and reusable textbooks.
The Ministry has also launched a networked system for textbook sales outlets, introduced secure access through username and password authentication, implemented structured quality assurance mechanisms, and begun upgrading the e-Thaksalawa platform with artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
According to ministry officials, the new measures are expected to reduce errors and financial irregularities while improving transparency, accountability and efficiency throughout the textbook supply process.
During the meeting, COPA also reviewed several longstanding issues relating to textbook printing, distribution and financial management. These included the accumulation of excess textbook stocks and increased transportation costs resulting from inaccurate estimates of textbook requirements in previous years.
The committee was further informed that authorities have so far been unable to trace the printing company and its directors involved in a court case concerning an alleged Rs. 212 million financial irregularity related to school textbook printing in 2002.
However, investigations into the matter are currently being conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), while disciplinary action has already been taken against the officials found responsible.
COPA also highlighted delays in legal proceedings to recover compensation from a printing company that failed to deliver textbooks within the agreed timeframe in 2006.