Publisher defends role in 'new' books row [Independent.ie]
- Published: 29 April 2011
THE row over the cost of school books raged on last night as a leading publisher denied it was forcing parents to buy new editions for no good reason.
Folens was responding to heavy criticism from teacher unions and the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) about unnecessary changes to school books.
Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) president Bernie Ruane said yesterday there was no need for the constant changing of editions.
The TUI cited the publication last year by Folens of a new edition of 'Lifelines', a textbook for Leaving Cert Home Economics, even though there was no change to the syllabus. The new book costs €35.95.
The TUI argues that while this is a subject area where new information emerges on a regular basis, the core details remain broadly the same and should not require the publication of entire new textbooks within short timeframes.
In a response, Folens said the previous edition of 'Lifelines' had been available as a second-hand purchase for three sets of Leaving Certificate students.
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