asked the Minister for Education the approximate cost of school books for a student attending (a) intermediate certificate class, (b) leaving certificate class in the current school year and the plans, if any, to lighten the financial burden on parents of school going children who must spend substantial moneys on school books each year.
Written Answers. - Cost of School Books.
60.
The cost of such school books, whether bought new or second-hand, would vary widely, variation depending on such factors as the range of subjects taken and the choice of books in these subjects.
A typical intermediate certificate course student would, in the present school year, incur a cost of between £16.50-£33.00 for school books, while the approximate cost for a leaving certificate course student would vary from £18.00-44.00, depending on whether the books were new or second-hand.
There is a scheme in operation which provides financial assistance towards the cost of providing books and school accessories for pupils in need of such assistance.
61.
asked the Minister for Education in view of the high cost of school books if it is intended to minimise the number of text books needed by students.
At primary level the choice of textbooks from the prescribed list is a matter for individual teachers. School authorities have been asked to bear cost in mind when selecting textbooks.
As far as second level schools are concerned, only a small percentage of text books is prescribed by my Department and most of these are repeated in rotation from year to year, generally in a three to four year cycle. Managers and teachers in these schools are well aware of my Department's view that unprescribed text books should be changed as infrequently as possible.
I do not consider that it is necessary for me to make any further requests to school authorities in this matter.