94% of junior schools run book rental schemes

Nearly all primary schools are now operating some level of book rental scheme, according to the Department of Education.

It found that the number running a book scheme has jumped from 77% of the country’s 3,300 primary schools in 2011 to 94% in 2014. The biggest increase was last year when it increased from 84% a year earlier.

However, while dedicated funds to help primary schools open a loan programme if they did not previously have one has helped, most recent information shows only 68% of second-level schools operate such schemes.