SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 2

SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

PROBLEM OF STANDARDISATION/;; EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INTENTIONS. {From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. January 11. The problem of standardising school books to save parents expense has been engaging the attention of the Minister of Education (the lion. C. J. Parr) and his officers lately. Tco many different tetet books have been found to be in use for the one subject in different schools. The trouble has been particularly marked in the secondary schools where some 61 text books have been in uro for the teaching of Latin. The Minister recognises that this sort of thing is a source of needless expense. He stated Siat the department had revised the list of books for use in secondary schools, and had reduced it very considerably. The department was now consulting with the university professors and principals of important schools with the object of affecting a further reduction. The list of text books for the teaching of Latin, grammar, and composition hao been brought down from 51 to 11. After a standard list has been agreed upon as the result of the consultations in progress it will receive the Minister’s imprimatur, and pupils will not bo required to obtain books which do not appear upon it. The Minister hopes that the list will bo ready in time for parents io have the benefit this year of the ravings it should effect. The school libraries can bo used to provide variety, whore variety is desirable. By a process somewhat similar to that followed in regard' to secondary school books, it is hoped to achieve the standardisation of the primary school text Ironies. A conference will lie hold on the subject and eventually an authorised list will appear.