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.

It is in all our interests that any child that wants an education can get one, irrespective of cost.