The errors in the textbooks, which were published at different printing presses in the capital and hit the market recently, confused and disappointed students.

Visiting several bookstores and going through the books, The Daily Star found that 30 pages were missing in the Bangla prose book--Madhyamik Bangla Shankolan--for the students of Secondary School Certificate (SSC).

Printed by Harun Printers at Rupchan Lane, Dhaka-1000, the content page of the book shows 145 pages while the book contains only 115 pages. Five stories, including "Lal Shalu" by Syed Waliullah, "Matribhasha" by Munier Chowdhury, and "Khadya O Paribesh" by Abdullah Al Muti--which are mentioned in the content--are missing from the book.

Harun Printers printed 28,590 copies of the book that also has "Dui Musafir" by Shawkat Osman and "Dhwonir Byabohar" by Abdul Hai printed twice.

The Singair Offset Printing Press at 34 RM Das Road in Dhaka printed 36,100 copies of the same book with gross spelling mistakes. The name of a story is spelt differently on different pages, creating confusion among the students.

The book also bears numerous other spelling mistakes.

The Shadow Printing and Packaging printed 12,340 copies of the textbook on general science with faulty chapter arrangements.

The chapter on incurable diseases suddenly breaks at page 17 and starts at page 257.

Students complained that the chapter divisions in the book are not done according to topics or issues.

"We do not understand what to do with these faulty books. How can I make preparation for the exam with a textbook in which six stories are missing? And who will give me money to buy a faultless book?" said Nusrat Jahan Lina, a student of Manikganj SK Government Girls' School.

As yet bookstall owners are not aware of the faults.

"The supply of textbooks is not sufficient to meet the demand," complained a bookstall owner at Savar.

The NCTB chairman could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.