Grade 11 textbook printing cleared after ministry releases tender letters

The Ministry of Education has released award letters to publishers, clearing the way for the printing of Grade 11 textbooks after weeks of uncertainty and mounting pressure from stakeholders over possible delays.

Speaking on Thursday, Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) chairman Kamau Kiarie confirmed that the printing exercise will be completed by October.

“The letters have now been released, and publishers can proceed with the printing. We are confident that the books will be ready by October, well ahead of the January transition,” a KPA statement reads.

The development comes as a major relief to publishers who had raised concerns over possible delays that threatened the timely delivery of learning materials under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

Earlier reports had pointed to growing tension between the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the body mandated to develop and approve curriculum content.

The dispute had implicated Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, whose office was linked to delays in issuing tender award letters to publishers who had already been competitively selected.

Publishers had warned that further delays would significantly compress production timelines, potentially affecting quality and distribution logistics, given that textbook printing requires months of preparation.

In a letter dated March 24, the Kenya Publishers Association wrote to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba warning that continued delays could cripple the entire textbook supply chain.

The association raised alarm over delays in issuing formal award letters, terming them critical to unlocking the next phase of the process.

Publishers cautioned that without the letters, the production chain would be effectively paralysed.

“It enables publishers to secure funding from their respective banking institutions, so that they can mobilise printers, distributors and other key players in the process,” the letter read.

The association further noted that the delays had already begun to affect large-scale logistical planning.

According to KPA, the issuance of the award letters now allows KICD to proceed with formal contracting of successful publishers, after which production is expected to begin immediately, with printing scheduled for May 2026.

Kiarie welcomed the move, describing it as a major relief for the education sector and all stakeholders involved in the textbook supply chain.

“This milestone is significant not only for publishers, but also for the education sector and the nation at large,” he said.

He added that KPA will continue working closely with the Ministry of Education and KICD to ensure smooth execution of the remaining stages of procurement and distribution.