Parents and guardians in the Sunyani Municipality have expressed their apprehension over the significant surge in book and stationery prices, calling on the government to intervene and alleviate the financial burden.
Amidst ongoing economic challenges, parents find the price increases overwhelming and fear they may struggle to afford all the prescribed textbooks for their children and wards.
A recent visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to local bookstores in Sunyani revealed substantial price hikes.
For instance, exercise books, once priced between GH₵2.50 and GH₵3.00, are now selling at GH₵5.00 and GH₵6.00.
Textbooks that previously ranged from 25 to 35 cedis in the last academic year are now tagged at 60 to 100 cedis.
Madam Esi Awuah, a petty trader and a parent, expressed her concerns, stating, “Buying books is now a headache.” She further emphasized the high cost of living, saying, “The economic standard of living is very high, and how can we buy all these textbooks, exercise books, and other stationery?”
Mr. John Kumi Owusu, another concerned parent, highlighted additional financial burdens imposed by private schools in the municipality, such as increased tuition and feeding fees. Coupled with elevated transportation fares, these factors contribute to the overall challenges parents face.
Parents and guardians in Sunyani are eagerly awaiting government intervention to address these soaring costs, making education more accessible for their children.
- Reporting by Dennis Peprah: Editing by Adewale Adejoke