Parents who will be in a frantic rush as at this weekend to purchase textbooks for the new school year, which begins in September, will face an overall two per cent increase in the average prices of textbooks.

That's according to the latest Consumer Affairs Commission’s (CAC) Annual Textbook Survey.

The CAC says it surveyed the prices of 133 popular textbooks across 90 retailers between July 23 and 27.

The agency says textbooks surveyed consisted of 90 secondary level, 30 primary level, and 13 infant level textbooks covering 17 subject areas.

It says of the 90 bookstores visited, twenty-six were relocated in the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area (Kingston, St Andrew, Portmore and Spanish Town in St Catherine) and 64 from other urban and rural towns of all parishes.

The following represents the island wide price observations.

Infant School texts

Average cost J$1,224.95 observed in 62% of stores surveyed;

The most expensive book costs J$1,676.00;

The least expensive book costs J$450.00

Prices increased approximately 5%

 

Primary School texts

Average cost J$1,566.73 observed in 64% of stores surveyed;

The most expensive book costs J$3,010.00;

The least expensive book costs J$1,045.00

Prices increased approximately 4%

 

Grades 7-9 texts

Average cost J$1795.85 observed in 39% of stores surveyed;

The most expensive book costs t J$4550.00;

The least expensive book costs t J$500.00

Prices increased approximately 4%

 

CSEC/CAPE texts

Average cost J$3,578.36 observed in 23% of stores surveyed;

The most expensive book costs J$9,000.00;

The least expensive book costs J$700.00

Prices decreased approximately 1%

 

Utilise Resources 

The CAC is encouraging parents to utilise the Price Inquiry Tool portal on its website ( www.cac.gov.jm) in their planning and management of purchases.

The agency notes that current survey results followed the Commission’s flash survey of June 19-22 which gave early shoppers the opportunity to take advantage of old stock prices by utilising the availability and price information posted on its website and social media.

Consumers may also access information related to independent distributors who have established relationships with schools to supply textbooks at a reasonable cost as well as offer online book exchanges.

In addition, parents are reminded to activate community civic groups including churches and Parent Teachers Associations for any opportunity to access used books or special prices.

Students are also encouraged to take note of any information from the schools during the first week of classes about books which may no longer be relevant for the course or for which the edition may have been revised.

For further information, the full report may be accessed at www.cac.gov.jm where consumers may view the complete Textbook Price Data for 2018.

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