Punjab free textbooks cut to 24.1 million copies for 2027-28, 60% below 2022-23 as enrolment rises

Punjab plans to print only 24.1 million free textbooks for government schools in the 2027-28 session, down about 60% from more than 60 million copies in 2022-23, ProPakistani reported on Wednesday. The cut comes while enrolment in Punjab's government schools has passed 10.5 million, and Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat says 2.5 million more children have joined.

The printing plan for 2027-28

The remaining copies cover other classes and subjects. In 2022-23 the province printed more than 60 million books.

Why the numbers fell

Officials at the Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU) gave two reasons:

1. Book banks. Schools collect books from students who move up a class and hand them to the next intake, so fewer new copies are needed.
2. Outsourced schools. Some government schools have been outsourced to private operators, which reduces the number of books the province itself must supply.

Punjab has also shortened its books: in September the School Education Department said the new curriculum cuts textbook content by about 25% and adds QR-code video lessons (our story).

The supply problems this year

The plan has drawn questions because this year's books did not reach everyone. In September, newly enrolled children reportedly waited for free books after the summer holidays, and an October report found a shortage of about 839,000 textbooks, which led to extra printing orders, according to ProPakistani.

What parents can do

• Ask the school first. Free books in Punjab government schools are issued through the school; if your child has none, the head teacher should record the shortfall.
• Book bank copies are usually used books in good condition. Check the edition matches the current curriculum.
• Complaints about missing books can go to the district education authority (CEO Education) in your district.

For other school and exam news, including board result dates, see our education section and the 12th class result 2026 page.