New SSC books priced steeply

Apr 13, 2011, 01.00AM IST TNN[ Abhishek Choudhari ]

Inflation is finally hitting the SSC students of Maharashtra State board.
When they go to purchase their books this year, the tab will be
significantly higher than last year. The state board SSC syllabus has
undergone changes this year.

Maths-I, a 186-page book, is now almost double the price of one it
replaces at Rs 63. Maths-II, a 212-page book, has also witnessed a 184
per cent jump in price at Rs.71. These books have been prescribed by
the State Board as part of upgrading the syllabus. The syllabus is being
brought at par with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Also, instead of two science books, there is now just one. This 178-
page book costs Rs 75, almost 18 per cent higher than the combined
price of the books it replaces. Book shop owners say that students
usually buy these books from mid-May. Still a few customers had
started coming in early this year.

"This time, may be due to syllabus having changed, kids are wanting to
start early" said Gautam Chopra, a bookstore owner. Since this is the
first year of the new syllabus there are no second-hand books available.
Students have no option but to buy the books at high prices.

Stall owners say the input costs for printing a book have increased quite
a lot. In addition, these new books have a lot of illustrations and are
overall a better quality product.


















Inflation is finally hitting the SSC students of Maharashtra State board. When
they go to purchase their books this year, the tab will be significantly higher than
last year. The state board SSC syllabus has undergone changes this year.


Maths-I, a 186-page book, is now almost double the price of one it replaces at Rs
63. Maths-II, a 212-page book, has also witnessed a 184 per cent jump in price
at Rs.71. These books have been prescribed by the State Board as part of
upgrading the syllabus. The syllabus is being brought at par with the Central
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Since this is the first year of the new syllabus there are no second-hand books
available. Students have no option but to buy the books at high prices.