Jamshedpur parents turn to second-hand books as private school expenses soar

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Mar 19: As private schools release annual examination results, parents are struggling with rising education costs, turning to second-hand books to ease the financial burden. The new academic session, starting in March-April, brings increased expenses, including higher school fees, uniform prices and textbook costs.

In response, many parents and students are flocking to second-hand book shops in Sakchi, where used textbooks are available at half the price. However, challenges remain as schools update their book lists each year, making it difficult to find complete sets of old books. In some cases, minor changes in content force parents to buy new editions.

Private schools have also increased fees by 10 to 15 percent and uniform prices have surged by 20 to 30 percent. The Education Department has recently issued a directive banning book sales within school premises, ensuring parents have the freedom to purchase books from the seller of their choice. While this move brings relief, some schools are still indirectly influencing book purchases by recommending specific vendors.

With educational expenses continuing to rise, the demand for second-hand books is growing, offering some respite to parents already burdened by inflation and school fees.