e-Bulletin for Parents - 8 July 2022

Tips for Purchasing Textbooks

Towards the end of this school year, parents will receive the textbook lists of the coming school year gradually. The Education Bureau(EDB) would like to address parents’ queries about purchasing textbooks by answering the following frequently asked questions.

Q1:
Like previous years, my children’s school helps students purchase textbooks and learning materials, but why such textbooks and learning materials will only be ready for collection after the commencement of the new school year?

Ans 1:
Since the logistics and transportation industries are still being affected by the epidemic this year, there may be short delays in the supply of textbooks and learning materials as publishers may not be able to finish printing or transporting textbooks and learning materials of the new school year as scheduled.

Q2:
Why are some subjects marked “Book title to be confirmed” on the school textbook list?

Ans 2:
As there will be new textbooks for some subjects in the new school year in response to their revised or new curricula, more time may be needed for textbook review procedures and producing new textbooks for individual subjects. Teachers also need more time to select suitable textbooks. Therefore, schools may not be able to confirm the textbooks to be used before printing the school textbook lists.

Q3:
How can parents avoid going to bookstores many times in order to buy all the textbooks required?

Ans 3:
Before buying textbooks, parents could browse the “Textbook Information” webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/textbook) of the EDB to learn about the latest information on the supply and expected date of publication. For the actual supply of individual textbooks, parents are advised to check with bookstores concerned.

Tips for buying textbooks:

Pay attention to the titles, editions, publishers and other information of the textbooks on the textbook list to avoid mistaken purchases;
The textbooks marked “Reprinted with minor amendments” on the textbook list are not “Revised” textbooks. For these textbooks, parents may consider using second-hand textbooks of the original edition. However, they must check carefully the applicable edition listed on the textbook list.
Parents could also refer to the latest version of the EDB’s e-leaflet “Tips for Purchasing Textbooks”, which lists the points to note on buying new textbooks or using second-hand textbooks.

QR Code for downloading the “Tips for Purchasing Textbooks”

Before the new school year commences, should parents have any enquiries about purchasing textbooks, they can call the EDB’s “Textbook Information Hotline” at 3698 3947.

Curriculum Support Division
Education Bureau