In Support of Schools Make Flexible Use of Learning and TeachingMaterials on Liberal Studies - CHOICE # 445

Publishing current events in school textbooks may sound like an exercise in futility. For, to be sure, they will be swiftly overtaken by events - and rendered obsolete if not irrelevant.

But it seems that textbook publishers have chosen to act differently, in continuing to revise books on Liberal Studies with much emphasis on current public affairs for senior secondary students within a short span of time. In textbook publishers' view, discussions on current issues are essential in any textbook that helps nurture critical thinking, and the value of quality textbooks in the teaching and learning of the subject should not be ignored.

In its annual survey on textbook revisions, the Consumer Council in collaboration with a panel of education experts, have found 2 out of 3 volumes of Liberal Studies textbooks covered in the survey to necessitate revision of some degree.

This means new versions of textbooks have to be published, discontinuing the use of the old editions and necessitating the purchase of the new editions.

This year's survey covered a total of 6 sets of textbooks comprising 15 volumes - 6 Music, 3 Chinese History, 3 Putonghua, and 3 Liberal Studies.

The overall results showed that 5 volumes were judged "necessary" for revision; 9 volumes "somewhat necessary"; and 1 volume recommended for "reprint with amendments".

Of the 3 Liberal Studies volumes surveyed, 2 were among the category of "somewhat necessary" and the remainder "reprint with amendments". All 3 have undergone revision within a period of less than 5 years - but since they are not on the Education Bureau's Recommended Textbook List (RTL), they are not subject to its no revision within five years rule.

On the basis of the survey and the opinions of the experts, the Consumer Council is of the view that due to the ever-changing and fast-moving nature of issues of current public affairs requiring frequent update, they may not be suitable for inclusion in school textbooks on Liberal Studies. In view of the uniqueness of the subject which requires a frequent update on issues to be explored, the Education Bureau does not recommend schools to use textbooks as the primary learning and teaching resources for Liberal Studies.

Instead, teachers and students alike are encouraged to make flexible use of materials of diversified sources on the subject of Liberal Studies.

Over the years since the Council carried out its first survey on textbook revisions in 1994, the Council has seen a steady improvement with a great majority of the textbooks surveyed proven to be necessary to varying degrees of justification for revision.

In the past, publishers were criticised for unnecessarily revising textbooks for commercial purpose. In response to such consumer dissatisfaction, the Council has undertaken the survey with the object of regularly monitoring the market in this area of concern.