1
}
Textbooks
4.31
While undoubtedly primary education is currently too textbook orientated, textbooks are still an essential part of any school course.
4.32
The Education Department advises schools to select their textbooks from the Recommended List a list issued by the Textbooks Committee of the Curriculum Development Committee and regularly updated, consisting of lists of books which are considered suitable for use in schools. Schools may use text- books which are not on the Recommended List but they are required to submit details of such books to the Textbooks Committee for prior approval. This Committee also recommends the banning of those books which it considers may do positive educational harm. Schools are then asked to remove any banned books from their lists and are advised of any other unsuitable books so that they may reconsider their selections. The Recommended List is compiled after a thorough review by members of textbook reviewing panels, and since schools generally do in practice select books from the Recommended List, it is important that these reviews should be carried out effectively. Proposals for improving the reviewing of textbooks are made in Chapter 11.
Class libraries
4.33
Textbooks are not the only printed materials required to support the curriculum. An effective library service is also required. In the past, library facilities in primary schools have not been given very high priority although modern trends in curriculum development lay much emphasis on the use of library books.
4.34
At present, aided schools wishing to buy library books, generally use part of the Capitation Grant. However, this is often a low priority and consequently some schools ask pupils to contribute to a library fund or to bring books to start a class library. The result is not always satisfactory and often leads to complaints from parents, or a library stocked with unsuitable books. Some schools receive used books from overseas but often find that very few are suitable for local children. Only a few schools receive significant donations for the purchase of library books. Even when funds are available schools find it difficult to purchase suitable reading material in Chinese. Since few schools can afford to buy library books, there is as yet insufficient demand to interest publishers.
4.35
At the primary level, class libraries have considerable advantages over a centralised school library. This is because books in each class library are carefully selected to fit in with the needs of that particular age group, and so ensure the effective use of the books.
4.36
The most urgent need would appear to be reading material in both English and Chinese and reference material in other subjects to stimulate a more active approach to teaching.
}
4.37
In the lower primary classes the cost of providing adequate reading material is very low as only a limited number of very simple books are required. It is therefore proposed that funds for the setting up of class libraries should be provided for classes P. 4-P. 6 only at a rate of $8 per pupil per annum in these classes. This should enable the school to build up and maintain
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