Textbook costs have grown 5.9% for primary schools and 6% for secondary schools, the Consumer Council says.

Announcing the results of its annual textbook spending survey today, the council said it interviewed 98 schools and found costs have grown by $2,153 for primary students and $1,947 for their secondary colleagues.

In the primary sector, the hikes were more prominent in the senior primary classes, while in the secondary sector, the average textbook expenditure for secondary one to four was more than $2,200.

The council expressed concern over the limited choice for parents in shopping for textbooks, and reiterated its call for schools to help ease parents' burden.

Schools should consider purchasing textbooks with their own funds and passing them on to students from year to year. And only when the books are damaged or new editions published do schools need to replace them. Schools can also consider selling used textbooks to students.