NEW SCHOOL BOOK SCHEME

Evening Star, Issue 18335, 24 July 1923, Page 8

NEW SCHOOL BOOK SCHEME

WILL IT COST MORE?

MINISTER SAYS “NO.”

[From Oim Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, Jul y< 23. Tho expense incurred by parents in the purchase of school books, and tho probability of the existing expenditure being considerably increased, induced Mr Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr Veitch (Wanganui) to give notice of a number of questions to the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Education, in the House to-night. Mr Wilford asked Mr Parr to look into tho whole subject, including the suggested new system, which appeared likely to cause needless expense. Mr Veitch, in putting a similar question, suggested that parents should bo given reasonable time before any new scheme was brought into use. He also wanted to know whether any particular firm was to get a monopoly in the supply of school hooks. Mr Parr said ho desired to remove some apprehension apparently existing in consequence of an inaccurate newspaper article. The school books at present in use would continue in use till the end of the year. Next year’s books Would bo selected from tho new authorised list only. Therefore, the suggestion that added expense was to be put on the shoulders of parents was inaccurate. The result of purchasing school books from the authorised list next year would be to cheapen the cost to parents, and not to increase it. It was with that object in view that tho new regulation was made. The department was endeavoring to standardise school hooks in tho primary and secondary schools. It was found last year in tho secondary schools that there were seventyone different text-books used for Latin, some eighty for French, and he had forgotten how many for English. The result was that a large stock of these books had to be kept. There was so little demand made for some of them that liic cost of these books was very high, and parents had to bear it. “We have accomplished the work of tho standardisation of books in the secondary schools without complaint,” continued the Minister, “and wo are attempting tho standardisation of books in the primary schools. It is not correct to say that ttie new list is a list of new books not in use. The English, geography, and arithmetic books are in use to-day in every educational district of New Zealand, while the history and copy book suggested are very generally in use. These books are tho cheapest of all the text-books obtainable. Others in use are dearer, and, in the opinion of the department, not so good.” The authorised list, concluded Air Parr, had been before the inspectors throughout New Zealand, and the teachers, through the medium of - the institute, and both agreed that the list was the best obtainable, both with regard to merit of work and cheapness. Ho thought the only complaints were from certain booksellers, who apparently had considerable stocks, and wore anxious to quit them. lie was prepared to meet them in a reasonable way regarding tho matter.