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Quinn to meet book publishers
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 08/06/2011. Tags: Education And Politics Parenting
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In response to a question in the Dail from Fianna Fáil's Brendan Smithm Minister Ruairi Quinn has said today that he will meet with school book publishers to discuss the apparent large mark-ups and high costs of their products. The Minister indicated that while the Department of Education had previously said they had no role to play in the issue, he said he intends to change that. The Minister went on to sympathise with families who have to pay a substantial price for school books.The Society of St Vincent de Paul has recently launched it's petition seeking public support for its campaign to reduce the publication of unnecessary new schoolbook editions. It is asking parents to sign a petition calling on the Minister for Education and Skills to set up an effective national book rental scheme. The petition is available at www.svp.ie/books
“The constant flow of unnecessary new editions means that families are forced to keep forking out for new texts, while tonnes of books end up dumped. It's crazy - and unnecessary.” said SVP National President Mairead Bushnell.
The website Schooldays.ie is providing information for parents to compare online school book offers this summer and also has a free facility where parents can advertise their second-hand school books for sale.
trish
(22-06-2011 09:44)
I cannot see the point of getting second hand books. I sourced half of my daughters books( 1st year) last year, some only from previous year and ended up having to replace them all as they were the wrong edition. They are changing editions EVERY year. The difference is only minimal but the imformation is on different pages.
stevie
(29-08-2013 08:58)
I am completely frustrated today having kitted my child out for Secondary School trawled every website and secondhand book shop throughout the summer I sent my child to school yesterday. I was very proud of the fact that
in a recession I had even managed to have a full uniform & set of books!
He came home yesterday distraught 3 teachers had told him his books were of no use to him they would only work with the new editions!!!! This is only serving to keep the Publishers in business and the teachers should refuse to co-operate with this rip-off....the geography of the world does not change..Business book now comes with a "free" workbook (which cannot of course be sold seperately) and Maths cannot update by much!!
I am furious that having struggled so much its still not good enough. Its time that the Minister for Education does more than meet with the Publishers.Rental schemes should be mandatory for all schools if the books are going to change from year to year or insist that books cannot be changed for a set number of years.
Maya
(27-06-2011 19:40)
why are the goverment allowing this to happen in england children are not carring around heavy bags books are in school and what happens is each year gets books they they pass them down to the next class when finished its so easy to do also its better for everyone they could easliy do this here the goverment buys them then they could rent them out or just lend only pay if there damaged there are way to many books they need to its just greed of the manufacturers it would be a lot better for the envoroment if they did this also cut down on the homework then the children wouldent be carrying heavy bags there is no need for it is abuse and there getting away with it the goverment here need to start looking after the children what do they think they are weight liffters its rediculars
kincora
(23-06-2011 12:50)
Optics again, if he were serious, he'd make material available online to each school.
mary
(22-06-2011 20:46)
Lugging the heavy books and replacing them when there are so many whiteboards (which have been hardfundraised to attain) in most classes countrywide and computers in every home..ridiculous! Access on line to all material, new and old. Obvious I would have thought.