RAWALPINDI, April 7: With the start of the new academic session, parents and children are thronging book stores in the twin cities to purchase course books for the new classes.

However, the soaring prices and shortage of books have perturbed many people. Those, who have four to five school-going children, are finding it very difficult to purchase new books for all of them.

Farman Masih bought only half of the required books for his daughter studying in class eight. He said it was impossible for him to pay Rs1,200 to buy new note-books. He said with a salary of only Rs3,700, he was unable to fulfil the educational requirements of his four children. He said an English book of class one cost Rs50, while his salary was not more than Rs100 per day.

The increase in prices of course books has forced many parents to buy them from old bookshops.

“My brother was unable to bear the educational expenses of his six sons, therefore, he send them to workshops”, said a parent, Mr Saeed, who was buying books for his three daughters from the old bookshop.

Mr Rauf blamed policy-makers for perpetuating class stratification in educational institutions. He maintained that the elite did not want to see the middle and the poor classes acquire quality education.