Smart Tips for Buying Textbooks for the New School Year
Summer is approaching. When you receive your children’s textbook lists for the new school year, do you start to worry about buying textbooks? The Education Bureau (EDB) has prepared three smart tips to help you save time, money and hassle when buying textbooks, allowing you to spend more quality time with your children as they prepare for the new school year.
Tip (1): Reading the Textbook List Carefully to Save Hassle
Pay close attention to the title, edition and publisher information on the textbook list to avoid buying the wrong items. Textbooks marked as “Reprinted” or “Reprinted with Minor Amendments” generally contain only minor amendments or updates, meaning you may choose new textbooks or second-hand copies of the previous edition, depending on your needs.
Tip (2): Buying Frugally to Save Money
Buying textbooks collectively through schools can often help you save money. If your children already own learning materials on the textbook list which can still be used, such as dictionaries, atlases, or religious texts, there is no need to repurchase them. If you opt for second-hand textbooks, you only have to buy new supplementary learning materials on the textbook list, such as e-learning accounts, workbooks or worksheets. For details on buying these supplementary materials, you may contact the school, bookstores or publishers.
Tip (3): Staying Informed to Save Time
The EDB has been encouraging parents to purchase or pre-order textbooks for their children as early as possible to avoid last-minute rushes. Before purchasing, you may visit the EDB’s Textbook Information webpage (https://www.edb.gov.hk/textbook) for the latest textbook supply information. The EDB has also prepared an e-leaflet on “Tips for Purchasing Textbooks” (https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/curriculum-development/resource-support/textbook-info/leaflet_e_2025.pdf), which details the points to note when buying and using new or second-hand textbooks.
If you have further questions about buying textbooks, please feel free to contact the Curriculum Development Institute of the EDB via the “Textbook Information Hotline” at 3698 3947.

“Textbook Information” Webpage

“Tips for Purchasing Textbooks”e-leaflet (2025 Version)