Printing of text books has been traditionally undertaken by KBPS. Distribution of the text books to Schools was always done by Text Book Department. During this year , i.e for the academic year 2010-11 KBPS has been also entrusted with this task of distribution of text book to Schools. This is a new area for KBPS. Printing is our core area and we had developed sufficient competencies in this. Distribution of text books, is a new task and a real challenge; we have no past experience; acute shortage of man power; but as state Government has taken KBPS into confidence, and have expressed their faith in us, there is no question of turning it down.
We can analyse this task. Distribution of 4,03,75,000 no. of text books in 292 titles to approx. 12271 no. of Schools through approx. 3112 no. of School Societies, is the precise task. As the order entrusting the distribution to KBPS is issued only on 15.12.2009, in fact we had very little time to plan. Also the undertaking given to the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala by State Government not to distribute text books before 31.03.2010, in WP(C) no. 37012/2009-V was also another constraint. But we are accepting this responsibility with utmost care and concern.
As KBPS is not having godown facilities and extra human resource for managing the logistic operations of Text Book distribution in the field, we sought the assistance of Postal Department of Government of India. Accordingly as MoU was signed with Postal Department on 9th April. To take up the transportation from source (KBPS. Government Presses, KSAVRC and various Text Book Deports in the State) to 25 Hub Centers in the field. From there Hub Centres, Text Books will be packed Society wise as per the indent from Director of Public Inistruction/Text Book Officer. Thus transportation from source, unloading and storage at Hub Centre, Sorting, repacking as per Society wise indent, loading, transportation to Societies and unloading at Societies are the responsibilities entrusted with Postal Department. KBPS will arrange loading of books hub wise in its premises in the trucks arranged by India Post. KBPS will also supply indent of books to India post, society wise and hub wise in soft copy. India Post will do transport of textbooks, stocked in KBPS and 37 state textbook depots, to the hubs and from hubs to societies as per the indent and it will furnish delivery data to the KBPS. India Post will properly insure the consignments while during transport and while in stock at hubs. Accordingly Postal Department has established 25 Hub Centres. They have also deployed 100 dedicated staff exclusively for logistic support.

Distribution of Text books is broadly divided into 4 phases.

Phase I – Distribution of Text Books of Class X
Phase II - Distribution of Text Books of Classes V-VII
Phase III – Distribution of Text Books of Classes I-IV
Phase IV - Distribution of Text Books of Classes VIII & IX

The daily progress is being informed to:
1. Text Book Officer
2. Director of Public Instruction
3. Secretary to Government, General Education Department
4. Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department
5. Office of the Hon’ble Minister for Education
6. Office of Hon’ble Minister for Printing, Stationary & Devaswom Through e-mail

The success of the challenge depends on effective co-ordination, Team work and daily monitoring. Accurate and precise indents (Title wise, class wise, school wise and Society wise) from Text Book Officer is the first and most important factor. Accurate and consistent stock details at various Text Book Depots (TBDs), is the second ingredient required for effective delivery. Logistics at Godowns of KBPS, sufficient loading facilities and proper delivery challans, preparation of a transportation plan etc are the crucial issues at KBPS. Timely arranging of Transport vehicles, managing Hub Centres, sorting, repacking and onward transmission to Societies. For coordinating the above activities, we solicit whole-hearted co-operation from Education department and Postal Department. Also I solicit real dedication and hard work from KBPS team members to successfully carry out this task in time.