MEMBERS OF the book industry, publishers and distributors are to meet at the Knutsford Court Hotel today to discuss a course of action, in response to the Finance Ministry's silence on the imposition of General Consumption Tax (GCT) on "non- school" books.
Shortly before Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies' departure to Washington on May 7 to discuss the nation's economy with overseas funding agencies, the book industry had written to the minister expressing concerns that the imposition of GCT on books could impact negatively on literacy. Additionally, the industry sought clarification on exactly which books are referred to as "non-school" books.
"We would like to know whether 'school' is simply a building, or whether it is a process of learning," queried Mr. Fuller, while describing the move as "counter productive".
Last week members of the industry met with Tax Commissioner, Clive Nicholas to voice their opposition on the matter. Mr. Fuller said the Tax Commissioner gave an assurance that he would present their concerns to the finance minister, however, according to Mr. Fuller they are yet to receive a response.
On May 7, Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Wesley Barrett, said that "very shortly" the Ministry would be examining the implications the new tax could have on the education system. He said, however, that illiteracy was at an unsatisfactory level. He also said he had "no doubt" that should the Ministry decide to impose the tax on books "it would have to be a partnership between both Ministries to determine which books would be categorised as 'non school books'."
President-elect of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, Wentworth Gabbidon, at a function held in Mandeville earlier this month, called on the government to roll back the GCT on educational materials including computers. He said failure to do so would have a "disastrous effect" on the educational system.
