“Schools should not be a place for extortion” – NCPTA appeals for review of textbook prices

The Public Relations Officer of the National Council of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Irene Sam, has called on private schools to reassess the costs of textbooks provided to students to alleviate the financial strain on parents. Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Ms Sam expressed appreciation for the quality of instruction and support offered by private schools; however, concerns persist regarding the expense of textbooks and educational resources.

According to Ms Sam, school officials sometimes fail to adequately explain the rationale behind textbook pricing and associated policies, leading to parent dissatisfaction and disputes between parents and school management. The PTA representative emphasized the need for schools to review textbook prices to prevent parents from being unduly burdened.

While recognizing that private schools function as enterprises aiming to generate revenue for expansion and resource investment, Ms Sam warned against exploiting parents financially. She cautioned that profit-seeking should not translate to extortion. Ms Sam also expressed concern over schools prohibiting parents from purchasing textbooks from third-party vendors, advocating for increased flexibility and transparency in the sales process.

One justification cited by some institutions for selling books directly to parents is ensuring uniformity across classrooms, enabling teachers to utilize consistent materials. However, this arrangement may impose financial difficulties on families, particularly those unable to acquire all necessary books upfront. Ms Sam noted that when schools publish textbook lists, some parents opt for cheaper alternatives from the open market, which may not align with the school's recommended editions or materials.

She further pointed out that some parents might struggle to purchase all required books immediately, potentially leaving their children without essential learning resources during class time. To address these issues, Ms Sam urged school authorities to engage parents more transparently about textbook pricing and explore alternative arrangements that ensure students have access to necessary materials without imposing undue financial hardship on families.