Schools Encouraged to Manage Book Rental Scheme Properly

Schools with textbook rental schemes are being encouraged to put in place appropriate procedures to properly manage the programme.

The call comes from Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, in light of recent reports that challenges are surfacing at several schools offering this arrangement.

Addressing journalists at a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House on October 26, Senator Reid said the challenges reported did not result from a shortfall in the Ministry’s provisions to the institutions.

“When we checked, it was (a case) that the schools’ internal systems did not work sufficiently to collect those outstanding rental books from the previous students using them, so that they could (be given) to the new group of students. It was not as a result of the Ministry not delivering the books,” he pointed out.

Senator Reid said the Ministry assisted the institutions’ administrations to rectify the matter.

“We have given them good management advice that they must have a robust system to make sure the students are compliant. The students who receive the books are required to return (them) at the end of the academic year, so that the next group can receive them,” he outlined.

Senator Reid emphasised that where students fail to do so, “they will have to pay the full cost for the books”, adding that the money collected can be used to purchase replacements.