Struggling families urge return of student grant after textbook prices jump

Parents and advocacy groups in Hong Kong are pushing for the restoration of a universal student grant after textbook prices surged to their highest point since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a significant jump in costs for academic materials. Digital learning tools have contributed to the price hikes, with a recent study revealing textbook prices now range from HK$4,000 to HK$6,000, marking an average increase of 3.6 per cent for the 2026-27 academic year.

This comes after the government eliminated a HK$2,500 universal grant for students in 2025-26, alongside other subsidies in an effort to reduce costs. In contrast, during the pandemic, textbook pricing saw minimal growth, averaging just 0.1 per cent between 2020-21 and 2021-22, thanks to the government's freeze on price increases.

However, this policy has since been phased out, with the percentage of frozen prices now at an all-time low of 20 per cent. The decision to phase out the universal grant has added to the financial strain on families, with many turning to second-hand books, though this often leaves them without access to digital learning resources that come with new editions.

Lily Chu, a full-time carer, highlighted that the removal of the universal grant has exacerbated her family's financial burden, forcing her to purchase second-hand textbooks at a reduced cost, but compromising on access to vital digital learning materials. Minnie Chu, a mother of a Form One student, shared that her family earns around HK$5,000 a month, and despite qualifying for full-rate assistance, the soaring textbook costs still pose a significant challenge.

San Wong, a full-time mother, also expressed concern over the rising costs, noting that her children's education expenses, including registration fees and extracurricular activities, have increased, making the universal student subsidy a vital support. Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, urged the government to reinstate the student grant and curb textbook prices, suggesting measures such as controlling new edition releases by publishers and considering government publishing of textbooks to alleviate the financial strain on families.