Hadow (1928)

Notes on the text
Preliminary pages Membership, Analysis, Preface, Introduction
Chapter 1 Books in schools 1810 to 1928
Chapter 2 Place and function of books
Chapter 3 Provision of books by LEAs
Chapter 4 School and public libraries
Chapter 5 Guidance for teachers, production of books
Chapter 6 Cost and use of books
Chapter 7 Conclusions and recommendations
Appendix I List of witnesses
Appendix II Practice of sample LEAs
Appendix III Provision of books in London
Appendix IV Expenditure on books
Appendix V Provision of books in Scotland
Appendix VI Publication of new books
Index

Appendix V Memorandum by the Scottish Education Department on the selection and provision of books in schools conducted under the Code of Regulations for Day Schools in Scotland 1923
[pages 149 - 150]

Note The statistics quoted in this memorandum have been compiled from answers given by education authorities to an enquiry which was addressed to them in 1927. The information covers all schools conducted under the Code of Regulations for Day Schools, including schools with fully organised 'advanced divisions' and special advanced division 'centres'; but schools conducted under the Secondary Schools (Scotland) Regulations were excluded from the enquiry.

Provision of school books

Under Section 3 (6) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1908, education authorities in Scotland are empowered but not required to supply pupils with school books where they consider such provision necessary.

Selection of school books

It has always been the policy of the department to leave the entire responsibility for the selection of school books to the school authorities. Any advice which may have been given on the subject to teachers or local education officers by His Majesty's Inspectors has been given on the latter's private responsibility, and the department have no official machinery for directing it.

Supply of school books by education authorities

Of the 37 education authorities, 20 supply textbooks free of charge to all pupils. Of the remaining 17 Authorities, all supply books free to necessitous school children, and 3 also supply free books to advanced division pupils, while 2 others supply books of a certain type (e.g. readers) to certain grades.

Custody of school books

In the 20 areas where books are supplied free to all pupils, and in 10 of the 17 areas where books are supplied free only to necessitous pupils or to pupils of advanced divisions, the books are lent to the pupils. In 3 of the 17 areas last mentioned they are given unreservedly to the pupils; the arrangement in the remaining 4 is not stated. In 21 of the 30 areas where the books are stated to be lent, all the books are placed in the custody of the pupils, who are allowed to take them home during the terms in which they are in use; in the remaining 9, it appears that only some of the books, those required for use out of school, are so entrusted to the pupils' care, while others, such as readers, are kept in school and distributed at each lesson.

Expenditure on supply of free school books

In the year ended 15 May 1926, the total sum expended by education authorities on the supply of free school books to pupils of day schools other than secondary schools, was approximately £110,000. The number of pupils supplied was about 440,000 out of a total of approximately 670,000. The average annual expenditure per scholar was thus about 5s [25p]. The rate per scholar varied from 2 or 3 shillings [10 - 15p] per head in one area to as much as £1 per head in another.

Books of reference

(a) Provision in each school Books of reference are provided, free of charge, for the use of both teachers and pupils in 19 education areas; for the use of teachers only, in 3 areas; for the use of pupils only, in 2 areas. In the remaining areas, no provision appears to be made.

(b) Provision in a central reference library A central library for use, free of charge, by both teachers and pupils is provided in 12 education areas; for use by teachers only, in 9 areas. In 2 of the remaining areas the provision of a central library for teachers or pupils or for both is under consideration or is actually being made.

School and class libraries

Of the 2,945 schools concerned, about 2,500 are provided with school libraries, and some 400, comprising about 1,500 classes, have class libraries.

Library schemes

A library scheme for the supply of books to pupils for reading or reference, has been established in some form in all county (1) areas with the exception of Argyllshire.

About one third of the education authorities have made arrangements with public libraries for the supply of books for reading or reference, and these arrangements apply to about 50 libraries and 200 schools. In 6 areas, i.e. one half of the areas where these arrangements exist, the education authorities or the libraries provide a special catalogue suitable for juveniles.

Footnote

(1) The education authorities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee have no statutory power to incur expenditure out of the education fund for the purpose.