asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to advise educational interests of the desirability of providing standard textbooks of a uniform nature which would mean considerably reduced costs for parents of pupils.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - School Textbooks.
44.
Mr. O'Leary
While it is desirable on educational grounds that the same textbooks should not be used indefinitely the unnecessary changing of books is discouraged.
Primary educational authorities are in fact advised by my Department at regular intervals that, in order to save parents undue expenditure, care should be taken to see that schoolbooks are not changed too frequently.
Consultations have been taking place between my Department and publishers in relation to textbooks for certain subjects of the post-primary school curriculum. It is hoped to extend these consultations later on to include all subjects of the curriculum.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Minister aware that there are, in the secondary school curriculum, several different textbooks circulated? It is a great expense on parents that there is no uniform textbook that could be produced more cheaply. Could the Minister give the House an assurance that arising from his discussions with the publishers, there will be an improvement in this situation?
Yes; there will be an improvement in the near future in regard to consultations which have already taken place. As I have indicated I hope that the benefits of this may be extended as a result of further discussions.
Mr. O'Leary
Will this be in time for the new dawn in September, 1967?
Yes, I hope it will be.