Textbook expenditure for the secondary school sector edged up a slight 0.6% on average this year compared with the previous year, according to the annual Consumer Council survey on 51 secondary schools across Hong Kong.
The expenditure amounted to an average of $2,405 for secondary students.
On the other hand, textbook expenditure for the primary sector based on 54 primary schools surveyed went up 3.2% on average, amounting to the average sum of $2,385 for primary pupils this year.
The annual survey, conducted with the help of the Education Bureau, showed rise in both textbook expenditures in primary and secondary sectors to be below the latest composite CPI of 4.1% in Hong Kong.
The low increase on secondary textbook expenditure was attributed to a number of factors which could have the effect of bringing the expenditure down.
The number of required textbooks was reduced in consequence of a change in the number of electives under the new senior secondary curriculum which students have to take - from 3 to 2 as indicated by most secondary schools in the survey.
Secondly, the use of learning materials prepared by schools, though not a major trend, was more common this year particularly in the senior secondary grades.
Thirdly, the discounts offered by bookstores to secondary school students remained largely unchanged at 5%. On the other hand, in comparison with last year, the discounts offered to primary school students were in many cases reduced by 1% to 5%.
The annual survey found also very few schools have adopted e-books and where usage was found it was mostly on computer-related subjects.
On the recent issue of infringing textbooks, the Consumer Council has called on schools and parents to choose with care reliable suppliers, and to contact publishers or the Customs and Excise Department on any suspected textbook infringement activities.
Schools are advised to provide for measures to ensure the authenticity of text books as well as to promote intellectual property awareness amongst students.
Publishers will do well to monitor closely on the stability in sales volume and maintain regular communication with education service providers on the latest market situation.
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