NEW SCHOOL BOOKS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 138, 7 March 1929, Page 13

NEW SCHOOL BOOKS

REASONS FOR DELAY IN ISSUE EXPLANATION BY MINISTER An explanation of the delay in the issue of text books, under the new syllabus of instruction for primary schools, was made yesterday by the Dlinister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore). The new syllabus of instruction for primary schools, which was issued last year, said Dlr. Atmore, necessitated the introduction of hew text-books. The previous books had been in use in most of the schools of the Dominion for over ten years, and were very much out of date, the result being that many teachers were, without authority, asking their pupils to purchase new and unauthorised books, thus putting parents to considerable expense. No doubt those parents who were complaining at the present time about books were those who had been asked by teachers to purchase unauthorised books. From time to time the Department issued instructions to the inspectors and to the teachers that no unauthorised books were to be used, as it was desired to keep the books as uniform as possible in order to lessen the cost to parents both when pupils passed from class to class, and when they moved from school- to school. Had the old books remained in use, after the new syllabus was introduced there would have been vigorous protests against the use of books that did not suit the syllabus,. The Department therefore, had to do' its best to induce publishers to put forth their best efforts in preparing new books, the issue of which would synchronise, with the official introduction of the new syllabus. Difficulties Overcome. “I regret,” said the Dlinister, “that the publishers, notwithstanding special efforts on their part, were unable to have all the books ready at the time the schools opened. The delay was due to the difficulties experienced by authors in meeting the requirements of the new syllabus. 1 understand, however, that these difficulties have been overcome, and that all the books in arithmetic for Standards I to VI are now on sale, while the English text-books for Standards 111 to V are ready, and supplies for Standard VI will be issued in a few days. The history books for Standards 111 to V are on sale, and supplies for Standard VI will be sent out in a day or two. “The greatest difficulty has been found in producing the geographies, as the method of treatment of this subject has altered considerably in recent years However, I understand that the Standard 111 book is on sale, and that books for Standards IV, V and VI are in the press. “More for Their Money.” “With regard to the prices to be charged for the new books, the late Dlinister of Education placed this matter in the hands of the Dlaster Printers’ Association. The association arranged with the publisher to make a substantial percentage reduction in price, the new price being calculated in accordance with the relative amount of matter in the new books as compared with the old books. In other words, the purchasers of the new books are receiving more for their money than in the case of the old series. A comparison with any of the text-books published in England will show that the New Zealand books are considerably cheaper, and there, is satisfaction in knowing that our books have been, written by New Zealand teachers and printed by New Zealand labour. “T have made a careful examination of the cost of supplying new books.” said Mr. Atmore, “and I find. as . did my predecessor, that the cost would be very heavy indeed. It'.must be remembered. too. that when a system of providing school books free ..was in partial operation some vests ago parents very much disliked the passing of the. free hooks from bend to hand and objected to their children using more or less worn-ont- books. Such a large number of nnrents purchased hooks for their children’s use that the free book system had to be abandoned.” ' __________