The textbook prices for the secondary school sector have risen by an average of 7.4%, the highest in 10 years, according to the annual survey of the Consumer Council.
The annual price surveys showed a rising price movement of secondary school textbooks over the past 10 years since 1999 - with the exception of 2002 and 2003 when an average price fall of 0.3% and zero increase were recorded respectively.
The second highest average price rise for the sector during the period was recorded in 2006 at 5.2%, followed by 5.0% last year.
The Council's annual survey this year covered a total of 419 commonly used textbooks for the secondary sector - 345 for F.1 to F.5 and 74 for F.6 and F.7.
The overall average price increase for the secondary sector was 7.4% but a more detailed breakdown showed that the extent of average increase of F. 1 to F.5 textbooks was even higher at 7.6% while that of F.6 and F.7 textbooks 6.4%.
The price increase was found in all but one (Religious Studies which remained unchanged in price) subjects. The highest average price rise was seen in the subject of Integrated Science at 8.7%, followed closely by Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistic at 8.6%.
In the survey, widespread price increases were found also in textbooks for the primary school sector. The average price increase on the 292 commonly used textbooks included in the survey this year was 6.6% which is slightly less than last year's 6.8%.
The highest average price increase for this sector was recorded in the subject Computer Literacy at 8.9%, followed closely by General Studies at 8.8%.
Among the 24 titles with higher average price increases, 16 of the titles were found in the secondary sector (13 for F.1 to F.5, and 3 for F.6 and F.7) ranging from 9.4% to 16.6%, and 8 titles in the primary sector ranging from 9.4% to 12.5%.
The textbook price increases are by no means insignificant and will no doubt add to the burden of parents and students in times of inflation against an increase in Composite CPI of 3.4% (in the preceding 12-month period).
Publishers have blamed surging paper costs, and other logistic costs of labour, fuel and rent, as well as the appreciation of RMB, the decrease in student population, and the influences of the New Senior Secondary Curriculum.
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