The Education Ministry has clarified that the distribution of free text book program will be carried out in phases, the first of which is likely to be completed for all Primary Schools by 2011.

Distribution has started for Primary Schools in the Eastern Division, after which they will move on to the North, followed by the West then finally to the Central Division, which is scheduled to be completed by 2011.

The Ministry said following this, distribution will then start for Secondary Schools at the same centres beginning from the Eastern and ending in the Central Division and this is likely to be completed in 2012.

Earlier Education Minister Filipe Bole revealed that their main focus at this stage is to ensure primary students in rural areas get their textbooks before the school year starts.

He adds while a criteria has been set for the transport assistance for students, no such criteria has been set by Government on their plans to provide free textbooks.