Jamaicans will pay an average increase of 10 per cent for textbooks this academic year. This is the word from the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) based on a survey of 126 textbooks (82 secondary, 31 primary, and 13 infant) in 52 book outlets in the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) and all parishes.

The increase is greater than that recorded in 2012 ( five per cent). The average price increase in the KMA was 11 per cent, representing a six per cent increase over 2012. In other urban centres, the increase was eight per cent, representing a two per cent increase over last year.

The Annual School Textbook Survey, conducted between August 12 and 15, is based on an analysis of price movements. The CAC notes that the Statistical Institute of Jamaica recorded an inflation rate of 9.7 per cent for the survey period of July 2012-July 2013.

The price of secondary textbooks recorded an average increase of 13 per cent compared to six per cent in 2012. The prices of primary textbooks recorded an average increase of six per cent compared with 2012 when the figure was four per cent.

Variation in prices

The prices for infant and primary school books do not vary significantly among the outlets surveyed, while for secondary-level textbooks, the prices varied significantly and there was more variation in prices of secondary books in the other urban centres than in the Greater KMA.

While most books have seen an increase in the shelf price, a few books will actually see a price reduction. The most significant price increase was 97 per cent, recorded by the secondary-level text Writing in English: A Course Book for Caribbean Students (Second Edition) by L. Fields, P. Roberts, Hazel Simons McDonald.

The most significant price reduction was 14 per cent, recorded by the secondary-level text Geometric and Engineering Drawing (Third Edition) by Ken Moring.

In terms of availability islandwide, 73 of the 126 books were readily available in the book stores surveyed. Novels were generally more available, while texts from the more technical or less popular subject areas such as home eonomics, computer science, technical drawing, agriculture, metal work, and religious education were less available.

Infant and primary-level books on average were available in 83 per cent and 78 per cent of the outlets surveyed, respectively, while secondary-level books were available in 41 per cent of the outlets. The majority of the primary-level books surveyed were workbooks.

The CAC is urging parents to use the supplementary list endorsed by the Ministry of Education and where possible, utilise the National Textbook Rental Scheme, or purchase pre-owned books.

Parents should also take advantage of price decreases, sales, or discounts, and if a book is under revision, purchase the most current edition.

The commission is also urging book stores to assist purchasers to identify updated versions of books, to purchase the correct books, and to sell old stock at lower prices.

At the same time, the commission is encouraging schools to list only textbooks that are essential and will be utilised by teachers, and where possible, facilitate students who have older editions of prescribed texts.