Senior Reporter
kay-marie.fletcher@guardian.co.tt
With just one month before the new school term begins, parents are already complaining about rising prices for school books and supplies.
Some say book lists are now costing thousands of dollars—more than their monthly utility bills—while store owners report slow sales despite it already being August.
When Guardian Media visited downtown Port-of-Spain yesterday, several bookstores and shoe shops were visibly empty.
One parent, Jemele Williams, said his five-year-old daughter’s book list will cost him between $1,500 and $2,000.
“Our kids are the future, so we have to stick with them and do our best for them,” Williams said. “It doesn’t really matter—my daughter is my life, so whatever the cost, I’ll focus on that to see about her future.”
Another parent, Vauleriey Glen-Tudor, said she shopped early for her two children, who attend primary and secondary school.
“The prices have increased. The secondary school book list is around $1,100 and the primary school list is $600-something,” she said. “But what will you do? The kids have to go back to school, so you try somehow.”
Contacted yesterday, Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath reminded the public that principals were advised to maintain the current textbook list for academic year 2025/2026.
Last month, the minister said this measure was to ensure consistency in teaching and learning resources across all schools while the ministry conducts a review of the textbook approval process to guarantee alignment with curriculum standards, quality benchmarks and inclusivity principles.
