Education Secretary disappointed with textbook publishers

Michael Suen was referring to publishers who have yet to sort out copyright issues to offer debundled textbooks and learning materials.

According to news.gov.hk, the Secretary for Education said the policy on debundled textbooks and learning materials was supposed to have been implemented last year, but publishers said they needed a year to solve copyright-related issues.

“We are thoroughly disappointed that during that one year they didn’t do anything and even pushed back the completion of copyright problems for another three years. They are exceptionally unhelpful and we can’t tolerate the situation for any longer,” said Mr Suen.

The report added publishers had been providing free teaching materials to schools to promote sales and that the Education Bureau has banned schools from accepting such offers since April to prevent publishers from shifting the costs of those materials to the parents by raising textbook prices.

View the full report here.