FREE SCHOOL BOOKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9654, 8 May 1917, Page 8

FREE SCHOOL BOOKS

THE QUESTION OF UNIFORMITY STATE PRODUCTION CONSIDERED BY THE MINISTER. An interesting statement with regard to the free school-books question, much discussed at the annual Meetings for the election of school committees in the Wellington Educational District and in other parts of the Dominion, was made to a ‘'Times’’ representative yesterday by the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister for Education). The Minister also dealt with the question of the extent to which uniformity in school-books is desirable, and with that of the State production of school-books.

"I have carefully considered,said Mr Hanan, “the various arguments tor and against that can be urged in. regard to having uniform school books throughout New Zealand, and X am prepared to admit that a reasonable solution of some of the present difficulties Is to be found in the production by the .Education Department of its own _ text hooks in certain subjects in which the programme prescribed or the point of view to be necessarily adopted makes resort to British-produced books undesirable. Otherwise I am of opinion that neither economy nor efficiency would be served by neglecting to make use of the advantages ottered by the production of educational works on a large scale, and the constantly improving types and processes which are stimulated by competition in older countries. The past experience of the Australian States in general is against any ambitious local State effort, and is in favour only of a modest local supplement to British production. Tho information at hand on the point, however, is not complete. STATE "ARITHMETICS.” “In New Zealand,” added the Minister, "a beginning might be made pJ tho State publishing text books ot its own in arithmetic extending the movement to other subjects as circumstances dictate. But such a proposal goes further than educators generally do in the matter of uniformity. i>7 reason of conditions arising from the war it is very unlikely that the Government Printing Office could undertake the work. This fs a matter, however, - upon which I purpose consulting the Hon. u. W. Russell (Minister in Charge, of the Government Printing Office). , CHANGES IN SCHOOL BOOKS. “It has been represented to me >” 6a V* Mr Hanan, “that parents , ar6 P ut frp . unnecessary expense owing to the quenoy with which class books aie chanced If that is the case the remedy lies In the hands of the Education Boards. The position is that only. such books as are approved by the Ministers can bo used m the schools, and of the books so approved a board which are to be used in the schools under' its jurisdiction. Some time ago it was felt that a revision of the list of approved books was. desirable, but it was not regarded as expedient that action should be taken until the now education districts were constituted under the Education Act of 1914, as the views of the new boards might differ from those of the hoards previously existing. No steps were taken, however, owing to the outbreak of the war, as a revision, no matter how desirable under normal conditions, in very many cases would necessitate the purchase of books different from those previously used; and it was felt that at a time when economy was imperative in so many homes changes in school books' were not justified. REVISION AFTER THE "WAR. Indeed, in 1915. a circular was issued to all boards informing them that tor the present the department was not prepared to consider the question of approval of new school books Xhat the pupils are required to buy. If, therefore, teachers are introducing unauthorised books it is a matter in which the board concerned should assert Its autnoritv. Moreover, the report form to be used by the inspector provides that be shall include in his inspection report on each school a list of the school hooks used, and tho board has thus before it all the information necessary to enable it to exercise due and proper control. Whatever merit the books so introduced may possess it is not advisable that they should be introduced at the present time when pupils reaching any standard should haVe the opportunity of using books formerly used by the older members of the family. This is the present attitude of the department. Further, after the war the list, of school books will be revised, and if such books a:e not placed upon the list a change will be necessary and a further burden will consequently be thrown upon many parents. PROVISION FOR FREE BOOKS. “It has been stated also/’ continued the Minister, “that parents moving from one education district to another, have been put to considerable expense 1 owing to their, children being required to purchase new school books. If snob is the case, teachers or Education Boards are to blame, for a. capitation grant is paid by the department to all boards, and ’ out of this children who move to a school where the hooks are different from those they possess are to be provided of cost with the necessary new books. This, with the provision for tho supply of free school books in necessitous cases, is regarded as the first charge against the cgpitation grant It is, therefore, unnecessary for a parent to buy more than one set of books in a year. In addition, the remainder of the capitation grant is to be spent on providing free supplementary readers for all classes. There is also the free supply of the ’School Journal.’ As I found that many parents did not know that they may' obtain from headteachers the free books to which I have referred, either because of the removal of the parents from one place to another or because of their necessitous circumstances, I caused a circular to he issued to all boards asking them to make the matter known to teachers so that parents may readily receive the full benefits of the grant. I have already (said the Minister) expressed my views in the House of Representatives, and I take this further opportunity of bringing before parents the provision made by the State to prevent the cost of school books becoming too great a burden upon parents at the present time, and I hope that parents will see that they receive the full advantage of this provision, t UNIFORMITY OF SCHOOL BOOKS. “Much has been said upon the questioa of uniformity of school hooks,” said Mr Hanan in. conclusion, “and very diverse opinions are. held by persons well qualified to speak on this subject. Uniformity can be carried so far as to unduly hamper the teacher’s individuality in mapping out a course of lessons and in aeaiiug with them before his pupils. Uniformity carried to such an extent is obviously undesirable, though at the same time I am of the opinion that a greater measure of uniformity than at present exists may be introduced without detriment to the teaching in our schools. In such subjects as arithmetic, geography, and history there seems to be no reason why books should not be uniform throughout New Zealand without resulting in any educational loss. In books of a literary character, however, some freedom of choice is desirable in the interests of good education. I am convinced that the interests of the children, which are the true interests of the parents, will be best served by avoiding on the one hand a rigid uniformity, and on the other an undue variety and frequent

changes in school hooks. When the time is opportune for drawing up a fresh list of books approved for use in schools, the question to what extent a greater measure of uniformity in school books can bo adopted will receive very careful consideration by those whose duty it is to advise me in such matters. The list, as curtailed as may be expedient, would remain practically unchanged for several years.”