$900 Million Allocated for Text Books to All Public Schools

A total of $900 million has been allocated for the provision of text books to all public schools, under the National Textbook Loan Scheme and the Primary Textbook Programme for the 2012/13 academic year.

This was disclosed by Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, during a press briefing on July 23, at Jamaica House in Kingston. He informed that the delivery of books for all schools across the system has commenced and is expected to be completed by August 24.

“I’m inviting schools that don’t get their books, for whatever reason, to get in touch with the regional offices in advance, rather than find themselves disabled come September morning," he urged.

Additionally, the Minister informed that school book lists will be circulated to parents, but advised that, "the long lists of books that have been characteristic of the past are being discouraged" this academic year.

He emphasised that books that appear on the Ministry's 2012/13 approved textbook list should not be included on schools’ book lists. “You shouldn’t have to buy those, they will be available either in the primary schools, free of cost, or under the book rental schemes in the secondary schools," he informed.

Rev. Thwaites further implored parents to “follow the advice of the Ministry, in terms of the books that you buy for your child in the particular grade."

"This is not intended to disrespect any teacher’s choices, but it is intended to respect the difficulties that parents have and the need for economising at this stage. It is no longer acceptable to have to buy books which cannot be passed down to other children and which are not used until the very end of the year," the Minister said.

Rev. Thwaites said the Ministry has made an effort to meet with teachers and school representatives to discuss most subjects, and has gone through the list of supplementary texts, which are required for students. “A list of these will be published before the beginning of the school year,” he pointed out.

To contact the Regional Offices please call:

Region One

Regional Director: Elaine Ralston – 948-9801

Region Two

Regional Director: Janet Brim – 993-5586

Region Three

Regional Director: Maxine Headler – 917-7849

Region Four

Regional Director: Hillary Foster- 979-8590

Region Five

Regional Director: Nadine Leachman – 625-7859

Region Six

Regional Director: Dr. Claudette Clarke – 745-1153