Parents raise concerns over cost of learning materials in private schools
Some parents of pupils in private schools in Tema have expressed concern over the rising cost of learning materials, saying the financial burden is particularly heavy for families with more than one child in private education. The post Parents raise concerns over cost of learning materials in private schools appeared first on Ghana Business News .
Several parents in Tema have expressed worry over the increasing expense of educational materials in private schools, claiming it places a heavy financial strain on families with multiple children in private education. Some private institutions mandate parents to buy textbooks, workbooks, and other learning resources directly from the school, rather than allowing them to purchase from other vendors.
Madam Akua Mary Osei, a Tema resident, revealed she spent GH¢895 on materials for a Class One child, GH¢996 for a Class Five student, and GH¢1,990 for a junior high school pupil, not including tuition fees. She compared the prices at her children's school with those of similar items available on the open market and discovered substantial differences. The school strictly required parents to acquire the designated learning materials directly from the institution, she noted.
Mr Bentley Amevo, another parent, stated his children's school also prohibited parents from purchasing prescribed educational materials from external sources. This practice added further financial burden to parents, especially those with several children in private schools. He urged education authorities to discuss the issue with private schools and seek ways to reduce the cost of learning materials for parents.
Mr Eric Nii Tetteh, a third parent, complained that the school did not always provide the names and publishers of some prescribed textbooks, making it difficult for him to compare prices or buy the books elsewhere. He also mentioned that parents were often required to buy bundled sets of books directly from the school, which he considered expensive.
Retired educationist Madam Helina Kabutey pointed out that some publishers and schools offered customized textbook and workbook packages where pupils wrote directly in the books. She suggested that this practice could hinder the reuse of textbooks among siblings or other students, thereby increasing the overall cost of education for families. The parents are demanding more transparency in the pricing and procurement of learning materials in private schools to allow families to make informed purchasing choices.
Written by urgent.news from Ghana Business News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
