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  • 1 year ago
It's the last week before school reopens, and in typical Trini fashion, many are now making the mad rush to secure school items. TV6 visited a few stores in Port-of-Spain and got some feedback from vendors and parents, some of whom were experiencing difficulty in sourcing some textbooks. Rynessa Cutting reports.
Transcript
00:00With just three more shopping days until the start of the new school year, parents and
00:08students flocked to stores in Porto, Spain, trying to get the best value for money.
00:14Used books are a hot seller, especially with the economy as it is right now, and it's a
00:18cheaper, more affordable option.
00:21We have the latest books, and we have all the books available right now.
00:28Do you find that people come here more to purchase used books as opposed to new books?
00:32Yeah, yeah.
00:33Most of our customers purchase used books rather than new books.
00:36Even still, some parents feel that prices are generally high across the board this year.
00:41So how are things looking this year in terms of prices?
00:44What has the experience been like?
00:46The experience has been a bit challenging.
00:48Prices are ridiculously high, I find.
00:51Even on the second hand, they're in good condition, but they're almost as pricey as the new ones.
00:56But as parents, we have to do what we have to do.
00:58Other than that, stationery and things are reasonable, but the textbooks itself is the killer.
01:04You know, some people are struggling and would not be able to even make this, you know?
01:10I pray and hope that God can help them, or if there's a fund or something that could
01:17be done to help, because a lot of parents are struggling.
01:20It's very hard.
01:22I am 60 and I am still working.
01:25You know, just to help my grandchildren.
01:27That's what I am doing.
01:29With the adults carrying the financial strain, all that's left for the little ones to do
01:34is to prepare mentally.
01:36So you went to orientation today for your new school.
01:38You're excited?
01:40Yeah, but I know I have to work hard and stuff because as I'm going into big school,
01:46I'm sure I'm going to have more intense work and more hard work.
01:50So I have to be ready.
01:52Yeah, but you are ready for the new term.
01:54Yeah, I am.
01:56What school will you be attending?
01:58CIC, Orson and Mary's Boys College.
02:00Congratulations to you.
02:03Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your day.
02:05Prices aside, availability of some textbooks is also a bit of a bugbear for last-minute shoppers.
02:12How many bookstores have you checked and what is the difficulty that you're having?
02:15Well, I actually checked three bookstores and I'm getting a little problem getting the Cape Spanish.
02:21The three bookstores, including this one, they don't have it.
02:24Some primary school books by Lester Subnaik are also unavailable at this time.
02:29It's Spelling and Vocabulary for Upper Primary Level Standard 4 and 5 by Lester Subnaik.
02:36Any other incidents like that?
02:38Yes, yes, we are experiencing that.
02:40One of the publishers, which is Lester Subnaik, he's revising a couple of his titles
02:45and it wouldn't be ready until maybe the first or second week in September.
02:48Two of the titles that he is revising is the New Maths for Upper Primary and the 129 comprehension.
02:55The English he revised, but we've got the English already.
02:58So the first two titles we're not getting until September.
03:01But it should be ready by second week in September.
03:08Bradford was also abuzz with shoppers looking for new uniforms.
03:12So you and your brother here.
03:15To buy two school shirts to make you look good for the year.
03:19Well, for the end of the term.
03:22So how come you all came out and you didn't have mummy or daddy do it?
03:25Because we're big enough.
03:27And of course new accessories are a must.
03:30In Excel's appeared to be the place to be in Port of Spain,
03:33with a wide range of the very popular spray-ground bags.
03:37So you see we have a variety of different bags in different styles.
03:43So if you are more on the outgoing side, there's always a bag for your personality.
03:49But if you're classy and demure, we also have styles for you.
03:54Renasa Kating, TV6 News.
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