FREE SCHOOL BOOKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 298, 11 December 1908, Page 2

FREE SCHOOL BOOKS.

DISCUSSION 151 TILE DUXEDLN JiIJbCAIIUN JJOAKD. By ielegruuir— fix-Bs Association. Duncdiii, East Night. At a meeting ol Hie Education Hoard to-day, the Unci Inspector submitted a report regaruing nee school books, lie pointed out that though the grant niigiit cover the cost of reading and ariUimetie for standards 1 and 2, it would be insullieieat for purchases of necessary readers for the preparatory classes, "it is probable,' he continued, "that the purchases of slates, exercise books, copy books, drawing books, pencils, etc., is a greater burden to parents than the pureiiase of readers ami arithmetics, and for that, if our assumption in regard to the meaning of 'text book' in the circular is correct, the grant makes no provision. If the interpretation of tire expression 'pureiiase of certain school books for free to children' were left to the discretion of the Board we should not hesitatfc U recommend that the grant should be spent in the purchase of books other than readers." It was decided that the report be approved, and forwarded to the .Minister of Education and to the j Boards of oilier education districts. I EDUCATION" BOARDS' ATTITUDE.

CKITICISED BY THE EDUCATION' -MIXISTKH. \\ <-Jli.i-t.»i. l.aMXigbt 'I lie ll.jii. (I. FowhL, .Minister fur Education, made a statement to'dav eoicerning the series of resolutions passed I'.v Hie Ciiris(cluuch ami other Education Hoards on the question of ficej school hooks and the alleged inadequacy of the giant promised hy tie Department for this purpose] -Jt is quite clear," said .Mr. Fowlds, •',' rom the attitude taken up hy .some hoards that they are antagonistic to the idea of supply, mg school hooks free to children at all. A:i estimate was made of the amouut required for the purpose of free school hooks, and an amount was appropriat-. ed. It was made up after very careful enquiry as to the hooks used in tne primary classes and standards"! and ■> '•ml these hooks had been ascertained hy olhccrs of the Education Department. The positioa taken up hv some members of the Hoard that the'money apportioned would he belter spent in Mich requi.sile.s as drawing ,ks and writ in" blocks is [lerfcetlv absurd, considering that the policy was adopted with the view of avoiding hardships to those parents who transferred from one *'' ' ,l,a, 'et to another, and might in, consequence he involved in the cost of a complete set of new hooks. Drawiii" 1 k- > or writing blocks are the same in ever,, school district."

I !»■ -Minister does not think tlicrn is anything in tins contention of the Christcliurch Board that there -} a „ grave danger to the health of children in a system which ici|uires the books to lie tlie common property of school children. Ho pointed out that they mix together under present circumstances, and dillcrent pupils arc frequently handling the -amc article. ft would he as logical to say there was a grave danger "of allowing lioys to handle the same cricket hall or hat. If anyone wants to be especially careful there is nothing to prevent pupils using their own books or taking such other steps as in the. opinion of the parents might be required to secure the ideal aimed at. "I think." Sir. Fowlds concluded, "'thatl when the position is explained the Boards will sec the reasonableness of Hie amount apportioned bv the Goveroment. If (he Boards can show that tin? books m use cost a larger sum than tho capitation provided further consideration will be given to the whole question. Up to the present no such evidence lias been supplied to mo or to the Department."