Not very happy today after fetching Keatkeat from school. In fact, its not just myself, it was every other parents in Keatkeat’s class too. Everyone received a letter saying that the school is introducing reading as part of the cirriculum. Every child had to buy 4 English books and 4 Chinese books. We do not get to choose the books. The school has already decided on the 8 books. Total cost? S$90.00!

All the parents took a close look at the sample of the books. They are no different from the usual story books which we could easily get at S$5 from neighbouring bookshops. Please don’t tell me that there is a special teacher employed just for this reading session. ‘Cos there isn’t! So why are we paying so much for just 8 simple books?

Many parents who are having financial difficulties, went to talk to the principal, but the answer was, “I am sorry, this is compulsory. Anyway, your child get to keep the books at the end of the sessions. There is no exceptions, every student must get them.”

All the unsatisfied parents were mumbling as they leave the principal room. Why do we have to pay that much!? I would rather they follow what my secondary school used to do- give the parents the names of the books. The parents go get it themselves. There are many of us who are members of different bookshops, hence with our discount cards, we definitely can get the books at a cheaper rate.

Are we too stingy over the S$90.00 or are we really being ripped off over these 8 books?