Teachers brought to book on tokens

Teachers brought to book on tokens

Pupils' tokens are being offered for bulk book buys

Teachers are attempting to use tokens given to pupils for World Book Day to settle school bookshop accounts.

The £1 tokens, intended to allow children a choice of what to read, are also being tendered in payment for bulk purchases.

World Book Day, which is distributing 14 million vouchers to pupils in the UK, says the offers made by teachers are a "mistake" and that none have been accepted by booksellers.

A spokesman said: "Booksellers know that is not what the tokens are for, so they don't comply with it.

Child's choice

"It's probably a misunderstanding on the part of some teachers."

Only around 2 million of the tokens are redeemed by children, who are able to spend them on one of six specially produced £1 books.

World Book Day denied that teachers were attempting to use them for bulk buys to avoid wastage.

A spokeswoman added: "Sometimes parents think they must take the children to use the tokens but never get round to it, which leads to them not being redeemed.

"But the purchase choice is that of the child alone. Only a few teachers have tried to use the tokens."

World Book Day, sponsored by the company Book Tokens, is a literacy promotion backed by the United Nations.

Warning

It is celebrated with events in more than 30 countries.

World Book Day originated in Catalonia, Spain, where roses and books are traditionally sent as gifts on St. George's Day.

The choices available to children in the UK include Duck's Day Out by Jez Alborough, The Secret Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot and Tough it out, Tom! by Jenny Oldfield.

The World Book Day website warns teachers against using the tokens incorrectly.

It says: "Booksellers are neither obliged nor able to comply with these requests. To avoid any problems or disappointment, please make appropriate arrangements."