School supplies have gone up in price after the government imposed a 10% tax on books, children’s picture books, colouring books, pencils, pens and colouring pencils.

The Union of Traders and Manufacturers of Stationery and Office Equipment demanded that the government removes the tax on these “basic school supplies,” which were originally taxed at 4%.

In a statement released on Monday, the Union said that the government has not increased the 4% tax imposed on school bags, school and university notebooks, geometry sets, school uniforms and the fabrics used to make them.

The Union challenged the government with the question: “If you’re looking to improve the level of education in the Kingdom, how can you then hinder the access to it?.”

School supplies vary in price depending on where they are purchased from, and on the school that the student attends.