Education ministry to review textbook lists amid cost concerns

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has announced plans to review schools’ textbook lists to ensure that only essential, high-quality texts are required, amid growing concerns about rising back-to-school costs.

Parliamentary Secretary in the ministry, Senator Marlon Morgan, made the disclosure while visiting Edward Seaga Primary School in Kingston to observe proceedings marking the opening of the 2026/27 academic year on Monday, September 7.

He said the review will focus on developing a master list that clearly distinguishes between mandatory and approved supplementary texts, helping parents balance academic requirements with financial affordability.