Textbooks for the New School Year: The 3-Step Guide to Smart Textbook Purchasing

         As the summer holidays approach, do you feel unsure about how to prepare the required textbooks upon receiving your child's textbook list for the new school year? To help parents plan effectively, cut down on expenses, and avoid unnecessary hassle, the Education Bureau (EDB) has compiled "The 3-Step Guide to Smart Textbook Purchasing," enabling you to easily prepare textbooks and welcome the new academic year together with your children.

Step 1: Plan Early and Check the Textbook List Carefully
The EDB consistently advises parents to purchase or reserve textbooks as early as possible to save time and effort. Upon receiving the list, please double-check details such as the title, edition, and publisher to avoid buying the wrong items. Textbooks marked as "Reprint" or "Reprint with minor amendments" on the list usually involve only minor revisions or updates rather than a full new edition. Parents may choose to purchase brand-new textbooks or reuse original second-hand textbooks based on their needs. Before purchasing, feel free to visit the EDB's "Textbook Information" webpage(www.edb.gov.hk/textbook) to stay updated on textbook availability.

Step 2: Make Good Use of Learning Materials and Shop Flexibly
If your child already owns reusable learning materials listed on the booklist (such as dictionaries, atlases, or religious scriptures), there is no need to repurchase them. If you plan to use second-hand textbooks, parents simply need to separately buy the corresponding learning materials specified on the list (such as e-learning accounts, workbooks, or worksheets) from the school, bookstores, or publishers. Additionally, if the school provides a bulk textbook ordering scheme, parents are encouraged to participate to enjoy discounted prices.

Step 3: Stay Informed and Scan for Instant Updates
The EDB has added a new section, "Latest Amendments to Recommended Textbook List" (www.edb.gov.hk/amend-info), on the "Textbook Information" webpage. Parents, students, teachers, and the public can scan QR codes to view updated content for relevant textbooks. Furthermore, starting from January 2026, when publishers print new copies or reprint textbooks listed on the "Recommended Textbook List", they will print a QR code linking to the latest revision content directly on the title page, making it convenient for students to access instant updates. You can also refer to the "Smart Tips for Parents on Purchasing Textbooks" e-leaflet (www.edb.gov.hk/textbook_tips_c) and the "Smart Textbook Purchasing Guide" short video (https://emm.edcity.hk/media/1_wa5hun6j) for more practical advice on buying and using new or second-hand textbooks.

Secondary One Textbook List

Secondary Two Textbook List

Secondary Three Textbook List

Secondary Four Textbook List

Secondary Five Textbook List

Secondary Six Textbook List

If you still have questions regarding textbook purchases, feel free to contact the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau via the "Textbook Information Hotline" at 3698 3947.