Parents stunned by high cost of textbooks as schools reopen

By Augustine OduorSchools reopen on Tuesday to the shock of increased book prices in the wake of the harsh economic times, forcing parents to pay more.Still reeling from the heavy spending in the festive Christmas and New Year holidays, parents were taken aback by the high prices of textbooks and exercise books that have gone up by between 15 and 30 per cent.This means that a textbook that previously sold at Sh300 now costs Sh45 to Sh90 more. Worse still exercise books that previously sold at Sh14 now cost Sh 18 for a 64 pager.The price of pens also rose from between Sh15 and Sh28, while a packet of dustless is up by between Sh30 and Sh35. Ink prices have increased by between Sh10and 14 per small bottle, while class registers are selling at Sh30 from Sh25.The textbooks price increase came after the government allowed book publishers to pass on a 15 per cent increase on the recommended retail price of their products from January 1.nt increase, given the high increase in the cost of living (inflation)."The cost of paper has gone up, and so has ink, labour and transport. The increase does not reflect the rate of inflation at all. We had requested an increase of not less than 25 per cent," he said. Gives bookBooksellers Association national chairman John Mbugua said the new prices were agreed up on by all the publishers and sellers.Mbugua also said that no school would get books and other items on credit from all the 1,500 sellers across the country. This means that schools may not get class registers, lab chemicals, chalk supplies among other stationery on credit, he said. "They already owe us Sh2 billion and we are warning any seller who gives books on credit that he does that at his own risk," he said. This comes as the Kenya National Association of Parents (KNAP) revealed on Monday that books worth Sh100 million go to waste every year. Association national chairman Musau Ndunda said that over five million books go to waste yearly because late learners do not inherit them. "We should make it a policy that all students proceeding to another class or leaving schools must surrender all books to benefit those left behind," he said. He said this would cushion parents against the rising cost of books.But that is not all. Book prices are set to go even higher up if the government introduces the 16 per cent tax on learning materials.Muita said book prices might increase by up to 50 per cent if the government makes good its threat to re-introduce VAT. "Parents are already burdened by the high cost of living. We are asking the Treasury to review these plans to spare parents the burden of paying extra money to books," he said.This comes with reports that parents are likely to pay more fees for their children if schools’ capitation is not revised upwards.Meanwhile, parents were on Monday stranded in their preparations to send their children back to school as banks remained closed for the New Year holiday. As a result, long queues are expected today as they rush to pay fees on a day schools open for the first term this year.Students are expected to present bank slips after depositing term fees to their respective school accounts.Parents who spoke to the Standard on Monday said the opening day came too soon after the holiday, making bank transactions impossible. "My two daughters go to school in Nairobi so I had to travel with them here, but I cannot do much today because banks are closed," said a parent in Kaka mega.She added: "We will now be forced to wake up early tomorrow to beat the likely long lines at the bank." In Busia County, reopening of schools in Bunyala South, Budalangi is likely to be affected by the perennial floods, which recently rocked the area.Area District Education Officer Maurice Jayoro said Makunda Primary School, Mukhobola, Busagwa and St Anne’s Bunyala Girls will not be reopened as learning facilities at the institutions were destroyed by the floods.He said the education office would ask the Ministry of Public Works to assess the scale of destruction at the schools."We hope get a solution once the assessment is done," said Jayoro.He added that his office might be forced to relocate about 2,000 students to neighbouring schools.Eldoret town was a beehive of activity as parents shopped for their children ahead of today’s official opening of schools.But Embu and Nyeri towns remained deserted as the mad rush that hits major towns ahead of reopening of schools was absent.

Parents stunned by high cost of textbooks as schools reopen

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Parents stunned by high cost of textbooks as schools reopen

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.