COST OF SCHOOL BOOKS.

Mt Benger Mail, 7 March 1934, Page 3

COST OF SCHOOL BOOKS.

COMPLAINTS TO EDUCATION BOARD. The cost of school books was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting by th.- Otago Education Board, which decided to instruct all teachers lo indicate to pupils the books which were absolutely n cussary, thus assisting parents to reduce the cost.

hi bringing up tlm subject, Mr ,James Wallace (.chairman) said he bad received complaints ileum parents of the cost to them ol‘ books for children going iu’o higher standards. lie had gone le the 1 rouble of obtaining vanuus returns of ousts. A man who had lodged a complaint had paid lbs 3d for books tor a child cult ring Standard 111. Swu 1 nether reports showed that the cos.s were tis 9d (in which case the condhSoils were differtoil) and 11s id (which included tin- cost oi exercise books for tile whole year). Mr Wallaiice said it was evident that an enormous amount oi paper work was being done. There was enormous waste in exercise hooks at end of each year. Old exercise books were not looked upon kindly by some teachers, lie did not wish to make a charge against any teacher or schoolmaster, but thought it their du'y to see at the present time that the children understand they are asked to purchase only books that are absolutely necessary. If tne

headmasters art; convinced ihat tin* children’s parents are unable to buy the books, the Otago Education Board will pay for them. (Hear, hear). But _we do not want to be Hooded with applications.” remarked Mr Wallace. After discussion, it was decided to circularise all school teachers, impressing on them the necessity for reducing' school books to a minimum, it seemed that the demand for a great many hooks, other than text books, was again creeping into the schools. To date, the board lias supplied free books to 88.1 children, on the recommendation of head teachers