Rising Costs and Shortages in School Supplies
The commencement of the new academic year has rekindled the longstanding issues surrounding the pricing and availability of school books and supplies. In Marrakech, booksellers have reported a scarcity of certain educational materials, particularly those required by elite schools, alongside a shortage of French-language textbooks. Parents are now grappling with the surging costs associated with these necessities.
According to Mohamed Salem Al-Qasimi, a local bookseller, the overall availability of school textbooks appears stable, with approximately 90% of the required materials in stock. However, he noted that specific French textbooks are still awaited, leading to concerns about the supply chain and distribution processes. The primary issue at present revolves around the books mandated by elite schools, as the initial batch received by vendors has already sold out, and new shipments have yet to arrive despite increasing demand.
In terms of pricing, Al-Qasimi pointed out that the prices for official textbooks have remained relatively stable, whereas costs for imported books, especially those from France, have seen noticeable increases. This situation has left many parents frustrated, as they face escalating expenses related to school enrollment, particularly for private institutions that often require an extensive list of supplies.
One parent expressed dissatisfaction over the inflated costs associated with private education, highlighting that these institutions demand large quantities of supplies, often requiring multiple copies of the same item. This trend significantly raises the total expenses, especially for families with two or three children attending school. Additionally, the prices for books pertaining to private schooling have also risen, and recurring shortages of specific titles compel families to wait for their availability in bookstores.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
