Are physical textbooks still relevant in the digital age for students?

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Physical textbooks are still used in Malaysian schools, but the case for full relevance is increasingly questioned as digital options like DELIMa exist but are not yet fully adopted.

In Malaysian national schools, students from as early as Standard 1 are still required to carry a large number of physical books to school almost every day. The main government digital textbook initiative, DELIMa (Digital Education Learning Initiative Malaysia), provides access to hundreds of digital textbooks and other learning resources, but it is currently supplementary or optional for most primary and secondary schools. With growing use of video lessons, interactive learning websites, and educational games, the need to buy and haul large physical textbooks is being challenged, alongside concerns about repeated printing and wastage.
DELIMa offers digital textbooks, but it is not the default in most schools
DELIMa is described as the Ministry of Education’s main digital learning portal for textbooks and learning materials. It gives students access to hundreds of digital textbooks as well as interactive modules, videos, and tools from partners including Google, Microsoft, and Apple. However, it is only supplementary or optional for most primary and secondary schools, which is why students still bring physical books to school.
Students still carry many physical books despite the digital shift
The issue raised is the sheer number of books required for students in national schools, starting from Standard 1. The article frames this as a backpack-like burden that students manage almost daily, including for eight- and nine-year-olds. Even with digital learning available, the continued requirement to bring physical textbooks means the school day still depends heavily on physical spines and binders.
Earlier proposals for PDF and digital updates remain part of the debate
More than a decade ago, Seth Godin proposed that schools produce PDF versions of textbooks, distribute them to students, and update them as needed. The article connects this idea to today’s environment where information can be accessed and updated more easily than through printed copies. It also points to how education is increasingly shaped by video lessons and interactive platforms rather than solely by printed books.
Wastage and AI are cited as reasons the model may not stay the same
A key concern highlighted is wastage from printing new copies of the same textbooks each year, followed by discarding them after final exams. The article describes this as a recurring cycle involving thousands of printed copies, with costs framed as an externality borne by society. It also notes that AI may transform education “very, very soon,” adding pressure for schools to reconsider whether physical textbooks remain the best format for learning.

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Are physical textbooks still relevant in the digital age for students?

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