Books for All Children: A Rapid Analysis of the Political Economy Around Textbook Provision

This background paper seeks to complement the efforts of the GBF initiative (now renamed the Global Book Alliance) and specifically probe the role of local, regional, and international publishers in textbook provision. Through a combination of literature review and consultations with 18 expert stakeholders, the paper explored the interplay between state and private publishers, textbook authorship and copyright, and the emerging role of digital learning materials and the interplay of digital with print.

The following recommendations are informed by the analyses and consultations with key stakeholders, and will need to be adapted and refined based on country needs:

• Develop open and transparent textbook selection processes to improve content and quality.
• Support capacity in setting and pushing forward comprehensive policies and regulations on Information and Communication Technology for Education (ICT4E) and e-learning.
• Increase coordination between agencies that are involved in ICT4E.
• Strengthen and promote greater awareness of the role of teachers in textbook selection and usage in order to improve pedagogy and learning outcomes.
• Implement and support systemic reforms to ensure that the mounting evidence on addressing cost and financing issues is translated into concrete action.