SCHOOL BOOKS AT COST.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 18

SCHOOL BOOKS AT COST.

REQUEST OF COMMITTEES.

ATTITUDE OF DEPARTMENT.

A MATTER OF EXPENSE

On the score of expense and the possibilities of incurHng considerable loss, the Minister of Education is not prepared to entertain a suggestion emanating from the Onehunga School Committee that scnool text books be provided to school children free of charge or at cost price. An intimation to this effect was received at last night's meeting of the Auckland Primary School Committees' Association from the Director of Education (Mr. T. B. Strong), the association having supported the request. Mr. L. E. Falkner contended the matter should not be allowed to rest. At least the proposal that the books should be supplied at cost should be considered by the Department. If books were purchased directly from the publishers or printed locally it would mean a great saving to parents throughout the Dominion. Rev. F. Greenwood argued that there should be uniform text books for all subjects taught in the schools. In the interests of the parents the association should press for further consideration of the proposal by the department. Some steps should be taken to relieve parents of 6omo of the burden of expense for school books and stationery. It was decided to ask the co-operation of other schools' association; throughout New Zealand in urging the department to reconsider the proposal to supply school books in state institutions at cost.