asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the unnecessary expense which parents of school-going children face each year by reason of slight alterations made by publishers in schoolbook texts from year to year; and if he will have this matter examined with a view to the introduction of a reasonable system whereby schoolbooks may be passed from older to younger children, thus reducing the annual outlay at present being required of parents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Changes in Schoolbook Texts.
102.
While it is desirable, on educational grounds, that the same textbooks should not be used indefinitely in National or Secondary schools, the unnecessary changing of texts is discouraged by my Department and the school authorities have been informed to this effect.
I am not aware, however, that there could be any question of unnecessary expense being placed on parents of school-going children each year arising from slight alterations made by publishers in textbooks. I might add that it would not be in any publisher's interest to effect slight changes in texts from year to year.
Is the Minister aware that this is a matter which causes parents what they consider great expense? Would the Minister explain how it is possible to go through the university and carry out the most complicated courses with books that are ten or 15 years old and that have not had even minor changes made in them and why, in the primary and secondary schools, we have this constant changing in textbooks?
As I said in my answer, unnecessary changing is discouraged and slight changes, I am assured, are not carried out by the publishers because it would be to their disadvantage.
But it does go on?
Changing of textbooks, but the question referred to slight changes. You would not need a new book for a slight change. It would cost the publisher quite a lot to make the change. I shall have to look for more information if Deputies say it is quite common. My information is that it is not.
Where there are combined classes, one class will be doing the same book the following year and some changes are necessary.