SHOULD SCHOOL BOOKS BE FREE?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3082, 12 May 1917, Page 10

SHOULD SCHOOL BOOKS BE FREE?

AN ECHO OF THE SCHOOL ELECTIONS < HEADMASTERS' OPINIONS A frequent topic of educational controversy is the question of frc e school books. At the recent school committee elections it cropped up at several of tlie householders' meetings; at some it was the principal topic. The question lias since been referred to the headmasters, who ~ have been invited by J-he DoMixws to express their views on the subject. „ JII ;, J - B - Hopkirk, headmaster of Jirnoklyn School, does not consider the present system satisfactory. The law ho says, docs not designate who shall provide material (books, etc.) for the children. AA'ere it not for the tact exercised by the teachers of the respective schools, there would be intolerable I notion between combative parents and the school authorities. AVhile there is a compulsory system of education, v£ se ,P arcllts wllf > I'avo the greatest difficulty m providing for their families, and who, to save themselves from the ignominy attached to the title poor deny themselves tlie very necessaries of life, in order to obtain tree books should not bo compelled to make public their poverty. A State Duty, "I believe," he says, "that the-State should supply all school material. The birthrate is not what it ought to be, and one of the predisposing causes is j..ie expense of- bringing up children. Owing to that expense the verv existence of the child is at stake. ■" If the existence of the child is at stake, so also is the existence of the nation. The State therefore has a duty in the matter, and should not leave the whole expanse of the upbringing of the children to those who are least able to bear it, but should relieve the parent as much as possible. The parents could bo relieved of the expense of school material by a small tax involving the ratepayers as a whole. There is an argument that with free books there would bo loss elasticity in the choice. That argument has no weight if tl.o authorities aro alive to the necessitiesof the. children. The argument that the expense of providing freo material is too great merely shows the injustice of placing so heavy a burden on the parent. The argument that the State could not supply material and allow the child to take it home is just as false. At present the parent has to supplv material for home as well as for school uso. Every child has a right

to one 6et of books—but not more thau one—per annum. "There might well bo 'standard' text books for the Dominion," he adds; "because the Government would be saved expense, the selection of books would bo easier, changes could bo more easilv made, and with tho requirement of larger supplies of tho respective books there would ho a greater competition to produce suitable books." Saving Valuable Time. "I am convinced," says Mr. F. Bennett, headmaster of Brittomart Street School, "that if all buoks and material were available for each child in the school, much valuable time would be saved at tho beginning of the school year, ami at other times when immaterial is needed. This system of a free supply of scliool requisites to the children is in operation in. London, and contributes to the smooth and effectivo work of tlie board's schools. It enables all children to make a simultaneous start of tho .year's work, which, under the present conditions, is rarely done; for not only days, but even weeks, go by before some children can get what they ueod. Mora especially is this emphasised in these strenuous times, when pareuts find more than enough to do to supply their daily wants. They certainly are entitled to every consideration, for they contribute more to tho best welfare of the nation than many in the community. As tho nation's existence depends upon tho rising generation, all should ho taxed to provide a reallv free primary education. I favour the State doing this as.a national duty. This can be dono more economically by tho State by supplying stocks of material to the schools to be dealt with by tho teaohers. It might be arranged to allow those who wish to purchase their own material to do so at the school or elsewhere. Some object to books being used by successive pupils, but this is already being done and cannot well be. avoided.

With regard to the suggested standardising of boobs and material for tho whole country, I do not see why it should not bo done, provided tho 'best books and material are available. (Now, for cheapness, inferior books and material are bought.) Some might object to this, by stating that it will produce a stereotyped generation of children, but this objection should not carry much weight, because differentiation takes place more after the child has left the primary State sohools than while he is in them." Mr. A. 0. Blake, headmaster of Mara inn 'School, does not consider the Present system entirely satisfactory. ' The 'School Journal,' which is free, fulfils," he says, "a very useful purpose, and is greatly appreciated. Its cost to the country might well be increased, and its scope extended. For reading matter, howevor, pupils require something more, and, in recognition of this fact, different schools in tho Dominion have adopted different readers. In moving from one district to anotlior, or even from ono school to another, parents are put, in.my opinion, to unnecessary expense. To obviato this. I should like to see tho Education Department adopt, for the whole country, for a period of say, live years, a really good set of literary readers. Those at present in use can scarcely be said to 'fill tho bill.' But Books Should Not be Free. "I do not agreo that it would bu to the interest of education to supply textbooks free. The cost of this would bo very considerable, if not prohibitive. Moreover, I feel ,511 re that these books, when the property of the children, have I additional value, are more highly prized, and are more likely to be put to -the best use. Apart from these considerations, such books, if free, may bo passed from hand to hand, and this' would not bo hygienic. How much better to keep tho books in the family, elder children taking care of them, so I Hint .younger members of the family may still use them! This arrangement can only be satisfactorily carried out when the parents purchase tlie books. There is another aspect of this question which should bo considered. All schools do not follow the saroo course' of .study. In drawing up his scheme of work a headmaster may find it beneficial to recommend the study of some text book- not in general use. To deny !',"", \'" s . V? u w "°« ltl tend to remnvo thai: individuahtv which tho elasticity of our system allows us. I am aware that it is possible to err in this direction, and would therefore make it obligatory for a head teacher to obtain first tho approval of an inspector. "It does not seem to me right that the State should increase if« taxation through having to shoulder tho burden of the wear and tear of books. Tin's should surely bo a fair charge against the parent. I do not think it would be wise or good business for tho Government to buy up a. stock of books,

only to find that, when it is. desirable to chango them, a large nunmer are on hand, out of date, and practically worthless. This, I believe, is the unfortunate experience of many of our booksellers. "I certainly think there should be absolute uniformity throughout the country with respect, not only to tho Literary Header, abovo referred to, but also to all note books and exercise books (copy books, also, where used). These should be of a standard type for each class, ruled according to approved plan, and of suitable size. Here, I think, the Government could sivo some relief to parents who wish it 7 by providing, free of cost, a reasonable aniount of stationery. It is in this direction that economy can bo effected; for a large stock can be purchased at a, reduced price, and will always find a buyer. I would suggest that only a limited amount of stationery be granted free, and then onlv for iiso in school. If a child knows that bevoud a certain point in bis consumption of stationery his parent will bo" called upon to pay. ho will eke out bis allowance as much as possible, and this will tend to stop the wastage which at present exists."