Government makes book ownership affordable for children

In October 1996 all children involved in the Duffy Books in Homes programme received a free book thanks to a one-off grant from the Government of $250,000.  Now the Government donates more than $1,300,000 annually to ensure that children in low decile schools have the opportunity to own their own brand new books at no cost.

What began in 1996 as the Budget Day Book Festival is now called Government Book Week.  It is a regular part of the school year for schools participating in the Duffy Books in Homes programme.

Through the Ministry of Education the Government provides a book to each of almost 100,000 children annually which they choose from a catalogue at the start of Term Two.  At the end of the term schools invite Government representatives to help present the books.

This week, Members of Parliament, local body representatives and other civil servants are visiting 527 schools throughout New Zealand to share their experiences of reading with children before helping to present their books.

Minister of Education, Hon Hekia Parata, will be just one of the MPs supporting the initiative.

“Reading is a wonderful skill that opens up the world in which we live.  It expands the human experience, allowing us to enjoy new sights, sounds and emotions.  It can challenge preconceived ideas and help us view the world differently,” she said.

Since the official launch in 1995 with 80 schools, 16,000 students and 14 sponsors, the Duffy Books in Homes programme has grown to encompass 527 schools, around 100,000 students and more than 200 sponsors in 2012.  More than eight million books have been distributed to children in low-decile schools since its inception and the programme now distributes more than 600,000 books annually.