• More than 150,000 textbooks collected, 9000 priority students to benefit from first day of distribution
• Public invited to collect used textbooks at any four distribution points on 9 December 2008
• Study grants worth S$480,000 awarded to needy students

The Used Textbooks Project this year was a resounding success with the collection of over 150,000 textbooks, an increase of 50 percent over last year’s collection. The number of students to benefit from the project this year is also expected to increase by about 50 percent compared to last year.

Apart from helping needy students, the project also aims to encourage recycling and promote the value of thrift. More than 200 students took time off during their school holidays to help sort the textbooks.

Mr Tan Kian Chew, Group CEO, NTUC FairPrice and Director, NTUC FairPrice Foundation said, “ FairPrice is heartened by the tremendous support from the public and also from our community partners and student volunteers for this project. It is through their efforts that we are able to help even more needy students this year and conserve the environment by saving more than 150,000 books.”

Collection of Free Textbooks

To make sure this project benefits needy students, 9000 students from needy families have been invited to collect free textbooks under the Used Textbooks Project Priority Scheme on 6 December 2008. These students have been nominated through the various Unions and welfare organizations.

The public can collect the textbooks for free on 9 December 2008, 9 am to 5 pm, at any of the four Community Partners of Used Textbooks Project 2008. They are Yio Chu Kang Secondary School, Swiss Cottage Secondary School, Saint Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School and Zhang De Primary School.

Helping Needy Students with Study Grants

Besides helping needy students to reduce textbook expenses, NTUC FairPrice has also given out $480,000 worth of study grants to 642 needy students this year, including children of staff and Union members.

“Every year, FairPrice sets aside a budget of half a million dollars for study grants. Besides helping families to meet their grocery needs, we are glad to play a part to help needy students advance their education,” Mr Tan added.