The Governor to Terminate Textbooks
California’s is suffering from a severe budget deficit. Currently the state is desperately trying to meet its $24.3bn shortfall and is fielding ever more original money-saving suggestions.
In addition to the sweeping budget cuts already announced, Governor Schwarzenegger has been asking his Twitter followers for their suggestions. He has already approved a plan to sign his name on state cars in order to increase their sale value.
The cuts are affecting every corner of state spending, not least of all the education sector, which is expected to lose around $3bn.
In a bold move to save money, Governor Schwarzenegger has voiced his support for removing hard-copy textbooks from all schools and introducing eBooks.
“It’s nonsensical and expensive to look to traditional hard-bound books when information today is so readily available in electronic form” Schwarzenegger wrote.
“Especially now, when our school districts are strapped for cash and our state budget deficit is forcing further cuts to classrooms, we must do everything we can to untie educators’ hands and free up dollars so that schools can do more with fewer resources.”
In 2008 California spent $350m on text books, a sum that Governor Schwarzenegger is keen to reduce in 2009. Schwarzenegger hasn’t yet given details on the scheme but concerns have been raised as to whether eBook readers would need to be purchased for every child. It has been noted that this would eat much of the $350m saving. Regardless, Schwarzenegger certainly seems keen to work towards an increasingly electronic classroom.
“Basically kids are feeling as comfortable with their electronic devices as I was with my pencils and crayons. Textbooks are outdated, in my opinion. For so many years, we’ve been trying to teach the kids exactly the same way.”
eBooks have several advantages over hard-copy books, not least of all the weight and space saving qualities. The Governor was keen to demonstrate this as he picked up a stack of textbooks, “I can use these for the curls” he joked.
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