One of the major headaches for parents now is buying text books for their children.
As the count down to the 2012-2013 academic year narrows, preparations have reached fever pitch. One of the major headaches for parents now is buying text books for their children.
In Yaounde, parents and guardians crowd bookshops with book lists to buy text books for their kids. During this period, many wayside vendors are active. They use the opportunity to make brisk business. Due to the high cost and scarcity of text books, some parents prefer to buy from the wayside vendors.
Paulina M., a Yaounde inhabitant, was seen buying books from the vendors yesterday. She said she preferred buying from the roadside because the prices are cheaper than in bookshops. Josephine Mballa, on her part, went to town with a pile of books to exchange at the city’s several book fairs.
One of the vendors, Roger Nganao, said he has been in the business for 13 years. He said he sells used, recommended books at lower prices. He explained that when parents come to them with book lists, they make sure they provide the required books. Many parents are still hesitating to buy books for their children as they are waiting exchange old ones.
According to Roger Nganao, the used books are evaluated and used to compensate the prices of books. “When we receive used books, we make parents pay a lower rate to compensate for the book. This also helps to reduce the burden on parents,” he said. Another vendor, Timothé Tchakonte, said since Monday, business has been flourishing. He sells book for all classes.
“Even university students buy books from here,” he said. He explained that some parents sell their children’s old books to make some money. “My children also use old text books and I make a living from selling the books,” he said.
Some of the vendors said the problem facing the sector is the fact that the agents of the Yaounde City Council seize their belongings from time to time. As a result, they are forced to hide their books elsewhere and only go for them when there is need. The wayside vendors sell from Mondays to Saturdays as from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays till 3:00 p.m.
Elizabeth MOSIMA
