As Anambra school children prepare to return to school for the 2023/2024 academic session, it is expected that there would be an influx of parents and students at various markets and streets purchasing learning materials such as books, uniform, shoes etc.
A visit to different educational lines in some markets in Onitsha to ascertain the level of preparedness showed traders had long stock up their shops with learning materials for the new academic session but are recording low patronage.
Reacting, some booksellers, Mrs. Ebele Modebele, Mr. Buchi Ibegbu and a trader in school uniforms, Mrs. Amara Ofodile said their major challenge are school authorities, who buy directly from producers and mandate parents to buy from schools at exorbitant rates.
They lamented that most of them who have their wards in various schools also buy from the school at a higher rate and pleaded with the state government to look into the practice which they say has crippled sales for booksellers.
Confirming the plight of the traders, a parent, Mrs. Ngozi Okoye said she only came to the market to pick a few items as the rest would be bought in the school.
Credit: Faith Onyemuche (ABS News)
Category: World-News
Tag: School resumption
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 9/15/2023 10:35:25 PM