Sir, - Many parents have expressed their serious worry to me about the danger to their childrens' health because of the weight of schoolbooks. I fully share their worry. Even First Year students have to carry a very heavy load on a daily basis and I have no doubt that this poses a serious danger to their backs. Contrary to the belief of some, the provision of school lockers is of little help in dealing with the problem.
The only satisfactory answer is to split subjects into smaller texts junior science, business studies and history are obvious examples. Apart from the weight factor, it is patently absurd to have the material for any three year Junior Cert subject contained in one book. It may be more expensive to split texts, but health is a far more important consideration.
The publishing companies have washed their hands of the problem by stating that the teachers requested larger texts containing the material for the three years. I have yet to meet any teacher who agrees with this. Many teachers are themselves parents and condemn the excessive weight of the contents of childrens' schoolbags.
I urge all those concerned with education - the department, teachers' unions, management bodies, parents' organisation - to pressurise the publishing companies to address this scandal as soon as possible. Yours, etc.,
Principal,
Our Lady's Secondary School,
Templemore,
Co Tipperary.