Booksellers Association of Kenya Raises Alarm over Dead Stock and Sustainability Concerns amid Curriculum Changes

 Booksellers Association of Kenya Raises Alarm over Dead Stock and Sustainability Concerns amid Curriculum Changes

By orenge Wycliff

Kisii, Kenya – The Book Sellers Association of Kenya (BSAK) has raised a distress call regarding the mounting dead stock of books in their shops, attributing the crisis to recent changes in the national education curriculum and the rationalization of textbooks. The booksellers are also calling on the government to reconsider its current approach to book procurement and supply, which they argue is threatening their businesses and livelihoods.

The change in the national curriculum, alongside the phased out admission of new Form 1 students in the coming year, has led to a massive glut of textbooks that are no longer in demand. According to the association, the booksellers had prepared for the transitional challenges ahead but were not fully equipped to deal with the extent of the financial burden caused by unsold stock. With their shelves stocked with books that are now outdated under the new curriculum structure, many sellers are staring at substantial losses.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the association emphasized the urgency of their plea to publishers and the government, highlighting the risks of severe financial repercussions if immediate action is not taken. The booksellers have appealed to publishers to allow them to return the 2023 textbooks in exchange for new, rationalized versions that align with the revised curriculum. However, they are also advocating for a more sustainable solution that could safeguard their businesses in the long term.

 A Shifting Education Landscape and its Impact on Book Retailers

The changes to the education curriculum in Kenya, spearheaded by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), are designed to create a more relevant and comprehensive learning system that caters to modern-day needs. The new system, which aims to align learning outcomes with job market requirements and digital advancements, has led to the rationalization of textbooks.

Under the previous system, students in Kenyan schools were required to study multiple textbooks across various subjects. The new curriculum, however, seeks to streamline this by introducing fewer textbooks that are more focused on the needs of each subject and class level. This shift has created significant challenges for bookshops, especially those that had stocked up on large quantities of the old textbooks ahead of the school year.

The dead stock, according to BSAK, is not only a financial burden but also threatens the survival of the book retail business in the country. With the transition period expected to continue for several more years, booksellers fear that the market may continue to experience fluctuations that could make it difficult for them to recover financially.

Fears Over Government’s Direct Book Procurement

One of the most contentious issues raised by the BSAK is the government’s policy of procuring books directly from publishers and distributing them to schools, bypassing local booksellers. This practice has sparked significant concern within the bookselling community, with many fearing that this centralized model could lead to the eventual collapse of their businesses.

Booksellers argue that the government’s direct purchasing and distribution model undermines the role of local shops in the educational ecosystem, which has traditionally included serving as crucial intermediaries between publishers, schools, and parents. By cutting out this essential step in the supply chain, the booksellers believe that they are being deprived of their primary source of revenue, which could lead to widespread closures of independent bookstores.

“We understand that the government wants to streamline the distribution of books to schools, but the effect this is having on our businesses is devastating. Bookshops are closing, employees are losing their jobs, and the local economy is suffering,” said one member,  of the BSAK. “What’s worse is that there seems to be no clear strategy on how we, as booksellers, can remain viable in this new framework.”

The booksellers argue that their role is indispensable. As intermediaries, they are not only sellers of textbooks but also play a critical role in providing access to a wide range of learning resources, educational materials, and supplementary books that are necessary for a well-rounded education. The BSAK asserts that local bookshops offer personal consultations and book recommendations, which are often tailored to the specific needs of both teachers and students.

further stating, the seller said ,

 “We are not just selling books; we are part of the education ecosystem. We help parents, teachers, and students make informed decisions about the best materials to use in their learning.”

The Call for a Collaborative Approach: Capitation for Schools

In a bid to mitigate the financial strain, the Book Sellers Association has proposed a solution to the government that they believe could benefit all stakeholders involved: a capitation system. The booksellers have suggested that the government allocate capitation funds directly to schools, enabling the schools to procure and purchase textbooks and other learning materials from local bookstores.

Under this proposed model, the government would provide funding to schools, which would then be responsible for purchasing books from booksellers in their communities. This, according to the association, would allow for a more sustainable model that benefits booksellers and enhances the local economy while ensuring that schools can still acquire high-quality learning materials in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The model would also allow schools the flexibility to choose books and materials that best suit their needs, a flexibility that may be lost in the centralized procurement process. For booksellers, it would ensure that they remain viable businesses that can continue to serve their communities while also meeting the needs of the education sector.

“We are not asking for handouts from the government,” the bookseller  explained. “We are simply asking for an opportunity to play our role in the system. The capitation system will allow schools to decide where to buy their books and learning materials, creating an open market that benefits both booksellers and schools.”

The Economic Ramifications

The potential impact of the government’s current book procurement policies on local businesses extends far beyond the booksellers themselves. According to the association, the collapse of independent bookshops would lead to widespread job losses across the sector. These include not only booksellers but also distributors, suppliers, delivery personnel, and the many employees who work in the bookstores themselves.

In an environment where the unemployment rate in Kenya is already a pressing issue, the potential for job losses in the bookselling sector could exacerbate an already fragile economic situation. Booksellers argue that the government’s direct procurement model could push hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses into insolvency, further increasing the unemployment rate and reducing economic opportunities for many Kenyan families.

The closure of bookstores, the association warns, could also lead to the collapse of the broader publishing industry. Independent bookstores have historically been key players in promoting the sale and distribution of Kenyan-published works, and their demise could stifle the growth of local authors and publishers.

Looking Ahead: Government’s Response

As the pressure on the government intensifies, all eyes are on its response to the booksellers’ calls. The BSAK has appealed to the Ministry of Education and the Treasury to engage with them in finding a solution that supports both the transition to the new curriculum and the sustainability of local bookstores.

The government has yet to release an official statement regarding the booksellers’ proposals, but there is mounting pressure from other stakeholders within the education sector to address the concerns raised by the association. The ongoing discussions around the procurement of textbooks and learning materials are expected to continue over the coming weeks, with the hope that a compromise can be reached.

For now, the future of Kenya’s booksellers remain uncertain, and with the current market conditions, many are left wondering whether they will survive the ongoing upheaval or be pushed to the brink of closure.

 Conclusion

As Kenya’s education system continues to evolve, it is clear that the impact of the new curriculum and the changes to the way textbooks are procured will have far-reaching consequences. The plight of the Book Sellers Association of Kenya highlights the broader challenges faced by small businesses in an ever-changing market. While the government seeks to streamline educational resources, it must also ensure that the livelihoods of the local businesses that serve the education sector are not compromised. As the government considers its next steps, the booksellers are hopeful for a solution that strikes a balance between educational reform and economic sustainability.