Trevor Sargent
Ceist:76 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education the measures, if any, she will consider to reduce the large amount of unwanted school books which result from the present educational system. [1033/94]
Written Answers. - School Textbooks.
School authorities have been advised regularly that textbooks should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary. Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over frequent changes, primarily in order to minimise increases in the cost burden for parents.
Many of the measures advocated by my Department to reduce the financial burden on parents also have the beneficial effect of reducing the actual number of textbooks in the school system. For instance, the operation of school book loan/rental schemes obviously reduces the number of books in circulation.
However, textbooks must be changed periodically if teachers are to keep their work educationally stimulating and if content and methodology are to be kept up to date. It is unavoidable therefore that some textbooks will become obsolete over time. In any event many textbooks eventually outlive their useful life due to wear and tear.
I am satisfied, however, that the problem of unwanted textbooks is minimised to the greatest possible extent by the policies operated by my Department.