Primary and secondary school textbook prices rose an average of 1.6% and 1% this year, the Consumer Council says. The rise was under the average composite consumer price index increase of 2.7% for the period.

The Consumer Council annual survey covered 778 commonly used textbooks, including 310 primary and 468 secondary books, of which 478 (61.4%) remained unchanged in price this year.

The biggest price rise was found in general studies for primary (2.6%) and applied mathematics for secondary (15.4%). The increases were due to education reform, curriculum diversification, rising operation costs and a declining student population.

However, paper costs have fallen 12.6% for uncoated wood-free paper, and 8.8% for coated art paper. Printing costs remained largely unchanged, with a few printers even reporting falls of 5% to 25%.

The textbook publishers' associations said most of their members are willing to freeze prices. They have also urged retailers to provide discounts and interest-free instalments.

The survey did not include textbooks for the New Academic Structure as there is no base for comparison.