SCHOOL BOOKS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 8

SCHOOL BOOKS

NEEDS OF Flil'll-S I'UACTK K IN CIIUJSTt HIHCII Every effort is made in Christchurch to avoid difficulty in securing books by pupils attending the schools, several headma.ncrs stated yesterday. A fair number of the children could not afford to purchase the books required, but the general practice during the last two years had been to secure second-hand books for such cases.

Although the breadwinners in I many homes were on relief and could not afford to buy books for their children, especially for secI ondary education, every effort \v;-s being made to allow the children to attend school, one headmaster said. Pupils leaving school, or passing into higher classes, were encouraged to leave their books for sale to other students joining the classes. By means of these books and flic use of what funds were available the pupils were being supplied. Position Growing Worse During the last three years a number of girls at the Girls' High School had been unable to purchase all the books required, the principal, Miss P. M. P. Clark, said. Second-hand books had been used as much as possible and a certain amount of assistance had been given where a recommendation was made by the headmaster of the primary school sending the pupil forward. The position had grown worse during the last two years. A small stock of used books had been presented by ex-pupils for the use of those needing help, Dr. D. K. Hansen, principal of the Technical College, said. Most of the pupils were able to find equipment, without difficulty, but a small percentage could not afford to buy new books. Some of these were children well worth helping, and a good deal had been done for them by small donations and the kindly interest of ex-pupils and members of the staff. Statements by other headmasters indicated that the practice of securing used books for pupils who cannot afford to pay the full price of new books is fairly general.