Suggests that no single universal cause behind the persistent under-financing of textbook provision in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries exists, but some common components include, (1) the pressure on teaching and learning materials (TLM) budgets caused by rapid enrollment growth; (2) the repeated tendency for curriculum designers to make decisions without taking into account the cost implications on the system as a whole; (3) the failure of development partner (DP) support to addressed affordability and sustainability issues; (4) the misunderstanding of ministries of education (MOEs) and DPs concerning manufacturing versus textbook cost as well as textbook versus system cost; (5) the lack of review and management of the nature and extent of fund diversion, fund misappropriation, piracy, and price mark-ups in undermining allocated TLM funding; and (6) the lack of monitoring, inspection, supervision, and financial audit systems necessary to ensure that all links in the financing and supply chain operate effectively.

The following resources are related to this publication by citation.