Primary schools 'short of text books'

Many primaries are said to be without text books

State primary schools in England are "chronically short" of text books in English, maths, science, history and geography, the School Book Alliance is claiming.

According to the group, which promotes books in schools, only 14% of seven to 11-year-old pupils have access to text books in all five key subjects - compared with 100% in the private sector.

The parents of state school pupils will be horrified to learn of the magnitude of the disadvantage their children are facing

Michael Marland

A study of 21 state primary schools and eight independent schools highlighted an "enormous gulf" in educational provision, the alliance says.

Many of the state schools surveyed would not allow their pupils to take text books home for fear of losing them.

And more than two thirds said a shortage of cash meant they could not afford copies for each child.

Demand for action

Alliance chairman, Michael Marland, called on the government to narrow the gap between the two sectors.

"The parents of state school pupils will be horrified to learn of the magnitude of the disadvantage their children are facing.

"The nation expects greater support from parents, but how can they help their children at home if there are no text books to guide them?

State primaries with no text books

Geography 57%

Science 52%

English 48%

History 48%

Maths 33%

Source: School Book Alliance

"But emergency action is needed to narrow this gap and ensure that all primary schools - no matter what area they are in - receive the same satisfactory text book provision," he said.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said £115m had been set aside for school books, enough to buy 23m.

"Even an industry lobby group like this must recognise that money for books has greatly increased," he said.

The School Book Alliance is connected to the Publishers' Association.