Cost of schoolbooks - Education is priceless

EDUCATION Minister Ruairí Quinn is to be encouraged in his efforts to reduce the cost of schoolbooks.

Though we nominally have a free education system at first and second level, nearly any parent will beg to differ. The cost of educating a child can be spectacular and can have profound impact on family budgets. A sum of €500 has been quoted for books for a student beginning fifth year. This can be a huge burden.

Mr Quinn is well-placed to control the frequency with which schools change text books, which publishers have access to schools and to ensure that technology is exploited fully.