The other thing, in terms of elementary schooling, is that it is far more cost effective to distribute paper books than eBook readers to hundreds of children.

The other thing, in terms of elementary schooling, is that it is far more cost effective to distribute paper books than eBook readers to hundreds of children. It's possible that a nigh-indestructible e-paper could work, but only if it's incredibly cheap, and the electronic formats of the books are much less expensive than traditional hard copies. If 5 children out of a class of 30 lose a book a year, and each book costs between $5-$10, replacement costs are not substantial. If 5 children out of a class of 30 lose a kindle a year, then we're talking serious money.