Some parents are expressing concern over the rising cost of school textbooks and other learning materials as students return to school for the new academic year.
According to some parents, the amount of money required to purchase textbooks for their wards has increased significantly, putting additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.
Several parents say they have had to spend considerable amounts to obtain the books and other materials required by schools before their children can fully settle into the new academic year.
For some families with more than one child in school, the situation has become even more challenging, as textbooks often have to be purchased for each child depending on their class and school requirements.
Parents who spoke about the situation said the cost of education goes beyond school fees, with expenses such as textbooks, exercise books, uniforms, stationery, transportation and other levies adding to the financial burden.
Some parents are therefore appealing to schools and book suppliers to consider measures that could make textbooks more affordable for families.
They argue that while textbooks remain essential to effective teaching and learning, their increasing cost could make it difficult for some parents to provide all the materials their children need.
A parent said the situation has become particularly difficult for households trying to manage several school-related expenses at the same time.
The concerns come as schools resume academic activities, with parents racing to purchase the required materials before lessons fully begin.
Education stakeholders have consistently emphasised the importance of learning materials in supporting students’ academic performance. However, parents say affordability should also be considered to ensure that children from different economic backgrounds have access to the resources they need.
Some parents have suggested that schools could provide parents with textbook lists early enough to allow them to plan and purchase the materials gradually rather than being required to buy everything at once.
Others believe that increased access to libraries, textbook-sharing programmes and second-hand books could help reduce the financial burden on families.
As the new academic year gets underway, the concerns of parents over textbook prices have once again brought attention to the broader cost of education and the challenges families face in meeting their children’s educational needs.
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Source: Thepressradio.com
