Standardise compulsory workbook prices — Chong

KUCHING: The prices of compulsory workbooks for primary schools should be made uniform, suggested State Democratic Action Party ( DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen.

He pointed out that Sarawakians are currently paying an average of eight to nine per cent more than their counterparts in West Malaysia for these workbooks.

“So much has been said about autonomy in education for Sarawak. This is one issue that the government should seriously look into. It is an additional burden for parents who have to buy workbooks for every subject for their children.

“Education autonomy is not just about having the power to decide where to build schools or which contractors to appoint, but should also focus on issues that affect the common folks,” he emphasised at a press conference yesterday.

Chong displayed a few activity books and workbooks to highlight the matter. He pointed to the pricing printed on the books, which show prices for West Malaysia and East Malaysia. An English Language Revision Book for Primary 6 costs RM4.30 (West Malaysia) and RM4.80 ( East Malaysia), which is a difference of 11.6 per cent.

Chong estimated that there are 300,000 primary school students in the state.

“Based on government statistics from 2011, there were 289,315 primary school students. With our population growth rate at one per cent per annum, there should be about 300,000 students now.

“This issue affects every parent of these students in the state, at both national schools and Chinese schools. Textbooks can be ( borrowed) on loan but these workbooks are compulsory, which means parents spend an average of RM100 or more just to buy them,” he said.

Chong added that the shipping cost should not be a problem.

“If shipping cost is a concern, then the government has to step in to do something about it, either to absorb the cost or make the prices uniform. Parents have no choice because these are made compulsory by the government.

“With all this talk about the Sarawak government fighting for autonomy, the focus should be on the welfare of the people, not just government projects,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong and Chong’s special assistant Dr Kelvin Yii.