The cost of a private education rose by 4.2 percent from August to September according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) released yesterday.

Consumers paid 2.8 percent more in September 2001 than they did a year ago for the goods and services included in the CPI basket. However, the rate of price increase remained unchanged from August 2001.

During the month of September, consumer prices on average advanced 0.4 percent and the all-items index rose from 117.3 index points in August to 117.8 in September.

The education, recreation and reading sector posted the strongest monthly change in price of 1.7 percent.

This increase was due primarily to a rise in the average cost of education, and the annual rates of tuition fees for local and private schools and universities which advanced 4.2 percent and 3.1 percent respectively.

Boat repairs and maintenance also advanced 5.7 percent for the month.

Food items showed no overall change in average prices between August and September, but there were offsetting price movements within the subcomponents such as a 1.5 percent drop in the price of strip loin steak, a two percent drop in fresh tenderloin and a 1.5 percent increase in orange. Average rents for both controlled and non-controlled properties for rent both increased by 0.2 percent.

Clothing and footwear slipped 0.1 percent which was primarily a result of a decline in the cost of men's shoes by 3.6 percent and women's shoe repair by 0.4 percent.

Tobacco and liquor rose 0.7 percent while fuel and power contracted 0.3 percent. Households paid 0.2 percent less for electricity due to a 1.8 percent drop in the fuel adjustment clause. The cost of a propane gas cylinder also fell by 0.7 percent.

Household goods and services rose 0.6 percent for the month of September and within the sector there were some offsetting price movements.

Average cost of flatware increased 3.4 percent while average costs of bed linens declined 1.3 percent. In the household services subcomponent, there was a seasonal rise in the cost of child care services with day care fees for nursery schools rising 4.4 percent.

Transport and vehicle prices increased fractionally by 0.8 percent.

Health and personal care remained unchanged during the month of September and although the cost of prescribed medicines fell 0.2 percent during the month, the decline did not impact on the overall price movement of this sector.