Is it permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr by purchasing schoolbooks for students in need?

The majority of jurists do not permit giving Zakat al-Fitr in the form of school books, because this falls under the category of giving the value [of the food] in Zakat. However, Abu Hanifa holds the view that it is permissible to give the value in Zakat, so according to his opinion, there is no objection to it.