Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Resolution (Apr 15/02) - So, just where is the paperless society, anyway?

Even with the omni-present computer, there is still a veritable deluge of paper in offices and homes -- flyers, reports, faxes and, of course, newspapers.

That's definitely not what some futurists have long been predicting.

But is there actually any sign that in years to come paper will follow the trail of the dodo?

What better place to look for signs of an imminent demise of paper than in schools. After all, the younger generation is being raised on computers, and they will shape the future.

However, there is no paperless society to be found there, and no sign young people are learning to live without paper. Despite the growing importance of computers in the classroom, paper still dominates.

Just ask Bill Hurley, the principal of the Deninu school in Fort Resolution.

"If you're talking about paper being obsolete, take a look around," says Hurley, nodding towards his office wall which is just about invisible behind notices and sundry sheets.

An educator since 1964, Hurley sees very little difference in the amount of paper used in schools over those years.

And he sees advantages to paper, compared with computers, explaining it is more personal. "Not everyone is compatible with a computer."

At Hurley's school, paper is used for a wide variety of things - everything from poster contests to booklets to reports, not to mention books.

The school begins the year with a bulk order of two pallets full of paper -- many thousands of sheets in all sizes and colours.

Gordon Miller, the principal of Harry Camsell elementary school in Hay River, agrees the use of paper still has a prominent role in school.

"I don't think it's gone down at all," he says.

In fact, Miller says that, with budget cuts, schools are more often photocopying sections of books for students.

And he says computers may be increasing, not decreasing, the demand for paper. That's because students often make hard copies of information they see on the screen.

As for how many sheets of paper his school uses in a year, Miller can offer no estimate.

However, he says the numbers are big. "It's astronomical."