The rising cost of school materials has continued to worry parents, teachers and education stakeholders, with concerns growing over the impact on students and families.
Prices of essential items such as textbooks, notebooks, school uniforms, writing materials and other learning resources have increased, putting additional pressure on parents preparing their children for school.
Education stakeholders say the development could make it harder for low-income families to provide the materials their children need for effective learning.
They are calling for urgent measures to make educational materials more affordable and ensure that rising costs do not prevent children from accessing quality education.
Stakeholders also urged schools, government agencies and relevant organisations to explore ways of supporting vulnerable families and reducing the financial burden associated with schooling.