Nicky Morgan urges publishers to reduce prices of school books
The Education secretary is expected to reveal her plans in a speech taking place on 24 September at Charles Dickens Primary School in Southwark, South London. Morgan believes that all children should have access to “our nation’s vast literary heritage”.
Classic, set texts such as ‘Jane Austen’ and ‘Charles Dickens’ should be obtainable by all schools. Morgan will be joined by celebrity children’s author and comedian, David Walliams. The event is part of the ‘ambitious literacy campaign’ being lead by the Department for Education.
She is expected to reveal hopes that: “In the next five years, I want children in this country to become the best readers in Europe”.
“There is no silver bullet- no magic wand we can wave to magically transform literacy for every child in this country”
“We owe it to our young people to explore every possible path when it comes to getting them reading well, to break down any barriers and support any who are left behind”.
Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Looking at the scale of the funding pressures on schools, this is a drop in the ocean.
“Anything that helps with costs is welcome, particularly when curriculum changes mean schools may find that, say ‘Hard Times’ is a set text but they have 180 copies of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ that are no longer of use.”
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