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(b)
In line with our established policy of minimum market intervention, Government does not and has no intention to regulate the price of textbooks.
However, the Education Department issues a circular letter to schools annually advising schools to minimise the financial burden on parents which may arise from the purchase of textbooks. These include:
(i)
(ii)
schools should consider the prices when selecting textbooks for their students and to provide the prices on school textbook lists for parents' reference;
school textbook lists should give full details of all textbooks required for the new term to ensure freedom of choice for parents in the purchase of new or second-hand copies;
(iii) students should not be required to purchase the latest edition of books printed in the school textbook lists if the earlier editions owned by students can still be used for learning with teachers' assistance; and
(iv)
schools should not recommend supplementary teaching materials, such as exercises, tests, workbooks etc. unless there are good educational
reasons.
In addition, under an administrative "three-year rule", publishers wishing to revise their textbooks have to submit proposed revisions to the Education Department for vetting. The Department normally endorses only those revisions which are significant or substantial. The Education Department is also in regular contact with publisher associations on matters relating to publishing and vetting of textbooks.
(c)
Education Department advises schools to choose textbooks from its Recommended Textbooks List. The main guiding principle is the specific educational needs of the students, which may vary from school to school. The relevant subject sections of the Advisory Inspectorate of the Education Department provides advice to school authorities on the appropriate choice of textbooks as necessary. The Education Department does not accept the fact that a school has a standing arrangement with a particular publisher as a valid reason for the choice of a particular textbook.