asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that supplies of textbooks for schools are not available and that prospects of supplies being available for classes when schools reopen are most unlikely; what he proposes to do about the matter; and if he will make a statement as to why supplies of approved books are not available for all school managers and teachers who require them for pupils attending their schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Textbooks.
17.
I am satisfied that the position in regard to supplies of the texts prescribed for the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations, 1971 and 1972 is satisfactory.
As regards national schools the new curriculum is being introduced gradually as from 1st July, 1970. This, therefore, is a transitional year when much of the old and some of the new will be taught.
An adequate choice of texts in the various subjects of the national school programme has been available to teachers up to the 30th June, 1970. The supply of textbooks catering for the needs of the new curriculum will become available according as the new curriculum is introduced and publishers are endeavouring, in close consultation with the Department, to meet the demands for new texts. It is expected that a full range of new textbooks in all subjects and for all classes will be available by the 30th June, 1971.
Does the Minister not realise that the second part of his answer is inconsistent with that of the first part?
In the first part of my answer I referred to post-primary schools and in the second part to primary schools.
The Minister is still inconsistent.
Does the Minister not think it is most unreasonable that national teachers should be put in the position that when the schools resume in September there will be new classes and they must do without new textbooks until September, 1971?
That is not correct.
Then would the Minister repeat what he said?
I explained that the new curriculum is only now coming into operation. It will come in piecemeal so that some of the subjects taught will be in the old style and some will be in the new.
The books will be piecemeal, too.
We are making the books available as quickly as possible.