FairPrice kicks off annual textbook donation drive with 11 collection points across S’pore
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Study materials and textbooks can be dropped off at collection boxes at FairPrice Xtra hypermarkets.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
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SINGAPORE – The public can donate their used textbooks at 11 locations islandwide between Nov 16 and Nov 30, as part of the FairPrice Group’s annual Share-a-Textbook drive.
Study materials and textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education can be dropped off at collection boxes at the supermarket operator’s nine FairPrice Xtra hypermarkets, at locations such as AMK Hub, Jurong Point and VivoCity.
They can also be donated at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre in Yishun Central 1 and Vidacity, a sustainability innovation hub in Pasir Ris.
“Through its 42nd Share-A-Textbook drive, FairPrice Group is collaborating with close to 30 community organisations, corporations and schools to collect and distribute used textbooks and other educational materials to Singapore students preparing for the new school year ahead,” said a FairPrice Group spokesperson.
“The aim of the donation drive is to improve accessibility to educational resources for all in Singapore, rally the community to support those in need, and promote circularity and sustainability,” the spokesperson added.
Those interested in collecting the donated textbooks will be able to do so during a distribution drive at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre on Dec 7 and 8, between 9am and 7pm.
Share-A-Textbook is Singapore’s largest annual textbook donation drive, with more than seven million textbooks donated to help more than 280,000 students since 1983.
Though FairPrice Group did not provide a target for how many textbooks it hopes to collect in 2024, news outlet CNA reported in 2022 that more than 725,000 used textbooks were donated for the drive’s 40th anniversary.
The group encourages corporations, as well as students and other members of the public, to register as volunteers to sort through and organise the donated books between Nov 27 and Dec 6 at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre.
Those who are interested can register online at https://form.jotform.com/terrasg/SAT-volunteer-registration-form
FairPrice said that it expects more than 2,000 volunteers – comprising FairPrice staff, students from local schools, corporations and members of the public – to come together to sort through and distribute educational materials donated to the drive.
“We encourage the public to support us in improving access to education by ensuring that materials donated are in reusable condition,” said a spokesperson for the group.
Textbooks and supplementary books that have not been collected will be sent to recycling centres so as to reduce waste.
The Straits Times reported in January 2023 that primary and secondary school textbooks cost up to 7 per cent more following the end of a two-year price freeze on government-approved books.
And a survey conducted by FairPrice Group in September that year found that 70 per cent of respondents said they were considering using second-hand textbooks due to increasing book prices.
