August 22, 2001
Textbook Prices on the Rise / CAC Concerned About Impact on Consumers

Consumers are being advised to exercise their Right to Choose through careful planning of their 'back to school' expenditures and shopping around for best prices.

The textbook survey was conducted between July 31 and August 3, 2001. Thirty-nine (39) outlets were visited in Kingston, St. Andrew, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, St. Ann's Bay, Brown's Town, Montego Bay, Mandeville, May Pen, Linstead, Spanish Town and Portmore.

Eighty-two (82) popular textbooks were covered - seventeen (17) used at the primary level and sixty-five used at the secondary and higher levels for the subjects - Accounting, Agriculture, Principles of Business, Compute Science, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, Sociology, Social Studies, Spanish, Typewriting and Technical Drawing.

The CAC observed a general increase in the 2001 prices of a sample of forty (40) of the Secondary and Primary level textbooks compared to their corresponding prices in 2000 and 1999.

Additionally, the CAC notes that, in spite of the textbook rental scheme operated in many schools, caregivers are required to purchase some textbooks. A parent or guardian with one child preparing for six (6) subjects- such as Mathematics, English Language, principles of Business, Accounts, Geography, and English Literature at the CXC level and who decides to purchase one textbook per subject, cam incur expenses exceeding $5,000 for only six (6) textbooks. Several secondary schools require that students purchase three or more texts per subject.

Advanced level textbooks were noted to be particularly expensive. The parent of one student sitting three (3) 'A' level subjects such as Accounts, Economics and Mathematics can easily spend in excess of $10,000 on textbooks alone, given that the price of some 'A' level textbooks exceed $2,000.

The CAC 's survey further revealed price disparities as wide as $1,310 for the same text, albeit in different parishes. However, prices also varied by several hundred dollars for stores within close proximity to each other. The study revealed that the highest and lowest prices for textbooks were found in the Kingston Metropolitan Area followed by St. Catherine. It was noted that some stores in Spanish Town had recurrent minimum prices compared to those found in other locations.

There were cases where books available in hard cover form reflected cost differences up to 250 percent compared to the paperback edition of the same text. Up-to-date reprints of the same text also reflected differences in cost.

Price information for each store visited is available to the public on request and is published on the Commission's website.