Romanian Liberal Lawmaker Proposes Bill On School Textbooks

According to the draft law, high school students from families with low income will also be given free textbooks.

The draft law, which wants the textbook procurement process to be decentralized, stipulates teachers will use only authorized textbooks and are allowed to recommend students the type of textbook to be used during the school year.

Saftoiu proposed that the Education Ministry should set up a virtual library to contain all textbooks and support books needed by students in the fields of activity included in the national curriculum.

According to the bill, students’ and teachers’ access to the virtual library is free.

The list of draft textbooks which meet quality standards will be approved by an order of the education minister.The approved textbooks will be included in a textbook catalogue, which will also be available in the virtual library.

According to the bill, textbooks will be purchased by county school inspectorates and the Education Ministry will monitor the procurement process and will allot the needed funds.

In February, Saftoiu said during a debate that the Romanian education system is „inhibitory” and many textbooks are „a very good sleeping pill”.