Expensive textbooks

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I have just finished shopping for textbooks for my six-year-old daughter who is going into grade two, and the amount is extortionate.

Not only that, but the number of books my little girl, who is very petite, will have to carry. All of nine textbooks, plus her writing books and a dictionary.

Most of the books bought, it seems, are all repeating the same lessons. The cost and number of books is too exorbitant.

Do all primary and preparatory schools follow a national curriculum? Therefore, our children have to struggle with those books every day on their backs. No wonder kids these days find school to be so burdensome, thereby becoming discouraged, because too much pressure is placed on them, adding to their failure.

I urge the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities to act swiftly in monitoring the number and pricing of books.

GEORGIA HYLTON

Denham Town, Kingston