The Knesset Education Committee approved, Monday morning, a bill by Member of Knesset Uri Ariel (National Union), requiring an Education Ministry stamp of approval on textbooks such that the texts cannot be revised without ministry approval in conjunction with changes in curriculum. The purpose of the bill is to prevent publishing companies from unilaterally issuing revised editions that preclude families from passing books down or purchasing second-hand books.
Ariel noted that the savings to poorer families can be used to buy food, medicines or clothing. The proposal has the support of the Education Ministry, which sees the measure as an important part of implementing the recommendations of the Trajtenberg Committee on socio-economic change. The committee approval cleared the measure for its first reading in the Knesset.