ANNUAL TEXTBOOK SURVEY REVEALS MODERATE INCREASES

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Annual Textbook Survey (2005) results have revealed moderate levels of increases this year, consistent with findings of 2004.

Of 100 textbooks surveyed across secondary and primary levels 97 had increases ranging from 1% to 15% as was the case in 2004, with some exceptions of up to 30 percent this year, including:

1. Shane by Jack Shaefer
2. The Pocket Oxford Dictionary (Ninth Edition) Edited by Catherine Soames
3. General Geography in Diagrams by R.B. Burnett
4. First Aid in English (Second Edition) Maciver/Gibson

Three (3) of the 100 books surveyed, registered increases of 30 per cent or more. These were:

1. Espanol Para La Vida 4 CXC Examination levels by Zena Moore.
2. Hexagone (Book 1) a French text by Ken Foden.
3. Economics: A Student Guide 5th Edition by J. Breadshaw et al.,

The marginal increases for most texts therefore, fell within a band that reconciles with the expected increases, taking the following factors into consideration:

• A net 1% devaluation of the Jamaican Dollar relative to the US Dollar over the period of July 2004 to July 2005;
• External increases in Publishers Fees that would have been incurred and passed on to consumers.
• Increases in overall operating costs for retailers.

The recent changes in the General Consumption Tax (GCT), regime for inputs of the publication process from 0% (zero-rated) to tax exempt did not have the impact that some persons had projected. This was due largely to a decision by the Ministry of Finance and Planning to waive the GCT that had been otherwise applicable to printing services for textbooks.

Parents and consumers will also benefit from other Government of Jamaica initiative with respect to the former textbook rental scheme (now loan scheme) as well as P.A.T.H. and other similar programmes.

The Consumer Affairs Commission invites members of the public to contact our offices for additional information and reminds parents to call or visit bookstores to do comparison-shopping before making purchases.

Tell us what issues you want addressed

Write to us at: 1B Holborn Road, Kingston 10 Or call us at: 926-1650-2 or toll free 1-888-991-4470, ask for our Information Desk