asked the Minister for Education whether a standard textbook for fifth and sixth classes on geography costing 22½p has now been replaced by two books costing a total of 90p; and if he will ensure that in future new textbooks do not cost substantially more than those they replace.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Geography Textbooks.
66.
No new textbooks on geography for fifth and sixth classes approved for inclusion in the list of books suitable for national schools is yet available from the publishers.
The first such textbook will, I understand, be published during the next couple of weeks and will be on sale at about 55p. It will contain 128 pages of 10 × 7¾ dimension and will be adequately illustrated as demanded by the educational concepts of the new curriculum.
These new texts cannot be regarded as mere replacements of old texts. They are much more comprehensive and far reaching in scope.
While it is desirable to bring textbooks up-to-date will the Minister not accept that an increase of 150 per cent in the cost poses very severe problems for parents especially in view of the total inadequacy of the free books scheme?
Of course, the Deputy will agree that if we are to operate the new curriculum in the manner in which we should like to operate it, it is essential that we would have the proper texts. I do not accept that the free books scheme is inadequate.
We shall have to differ on that.