APPENDIX TO REPORT. - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Do léigh Mícheál O hAodha (Aire an Oideachais) an Tuairise mar leanas:
Tuairisc ón 11adh Eanair go dtí an 21adr. Aibreán, 1922.
Tá a lán oibre déanta ag an Aireacht ó cuireadh an Connradh i bhfeidhm nárbh fhéidir a dhéanamh roimhe sin. Tá níos mó dul chun cinn ar an nGaedhilg ins na scoileanna agus taobh amuigh dhíobh le trí mhí ná mar bhí ó thosnuigh an obair seo na Gaedhilge. Chífear a dheimhniú soin san tuairisc seo am' dhiaidh. Táthar ag iarraidh na múinteóirí a chur i n-iúl do mhúineadh na Gaedhilge agus feidhm níos fearr a bhaint as na múinteóirí Gaedhilge atá ins na scoileanna fá láthair.
Tá sraith pingne buailte i n-ocht gConndaethe i gcóir Scoláireachtaí ós na Bun-Scoileanna go dtí na Meadhon Scoileanna. Chuir Ard-Chomhairle na gComhairlí Conndae an scéim os comhair na hAireachta. Ní mór no coingheallacha agus an Clár bheith ceaduithe uainne. Déanfaimíd an scrúdú scríobhtha in gach áit leis. Níor ceaduigheadh aon scéim acht i gcóir aon bhliain amháin.
Tá sraith pingne don Ghaedhilg buailte in 18 gConndaethe. Níl cead ón Aireacht um Rialtas Aitiúil aon airgead a chaitheamh muna bhfuilimid sásta lefs an Scéim. Déanfar obair an-mhaith sa tslfghe seo agus is mór an ní go bhfuiltear ag cur oiread san suime ins an nGaedhilg.
Tá coiste comh-cheangail ag oban chun cláir na mbun-scoileanna agus na meadhon-scoileanna agus na scoileanna ceárdúla do chur i n-oiriúint dá chéile.
Tá an Aireacht ag cabhrú leis an Aireacht um Rialtas Aitiúil chun gléas scrúduithe a ceapadh i gcóir postanna fé sna Comhairlí Dúithche.
1. An gléas a ceapadh i gcóir Aireacht na Gaedhilge in 1920 tá sé 'ghá chur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán anois.
(a) Timthirí.—Tá ochtar Timthirí againn sa Ghaedhealtacht agus cunntas cruinn againn anois ar chor na Gaedhilge ins na scoileanna, ar na múinteóirí agus eile.
(b) Comórtas na mBonn Airgid.—Tá a bhfad níos mó scoileanna istigh ar an gComórtas so i mbliadhna ná mar a bhí anuiridh.
(c) Comórtas idir Liontaibh Tighe.—Níorbh fhéidir an Comórtas so do chur ar siubhal anuiridh. Tá na Timthirí ag ullmhú 'na chóir i mbliadhna.
2.Na Bun-Scoileanna.—Tá an Clár Nuadh a ceapadh fé ughdarás na Dála curtha amach go dtí na Scoileanna ó Oifig an Bhúird Náisiúnta. Tá fonn oibre ar na múinteóirí agus déanfaid a ndicheall chun an Clár do chur i bhfeidhm.
De dheascaibh ordú a cuireadh amach ó'n Rialtas Sealadach tá an Ghaedhilg á múineadh anois ar feadh uaire a chluig sa lá in gach scoil ina bhfuil múinteóirí Gaedhilge. Nuair a bheidh na tuairiscí againn ar an scéal so beidh fhios againn cad iad na ceanntair 'na bhfuil práinn leo.
3.Na Meadhon-Scoileanna.—Bronnadh Corn Airgid i ngach Cúige anuiridh ar an Scoil Meadhonach do b'fheárr chun labhairt na Gaedhilge. Socruigheadh i mbliadhna dhá Chorn a thabhairt i ngach Cúige, ceann dos na buachaillí agus ceann dos na cailíní. Ainmnigheadh ceathrar cigirí i gcóir na Meadhon-Scoileanna. Táid ag obair ó'n chéad lá de Mhárta, agus duine i ngach Cúige. Tá eolas beacht á bhailiughadh acu ar mhúinteóiribh na meadhon-scoileanna. Táid ag cabhrú leis na múinteóirí agus ag tabhairt comhairle do scoileanna atá chun tosnú ar an nGaedhilg i mbliadhna.
Tá a lán scoileanna ná raibh an Ghaedhilg á múineadh riamh ionnta ag lorg múinteóirí. Na múinteóirí atá anois ins na scoileanna soin táid ag foghluim na Gaedhilge.
Tá Clár i gcóir 1923 ceaptha ag an gCoimisiún agus an Ghaedhilg ar an dul céadna leis an mBéarla ann. Tá na coistí ag obair ar Chlár Nuadh do cheapadh agus beidh tuairisc uatha fé chló sa samhradh.
4.Scoláireachtaí i Scolaibh Múinteóirí.—Tá 37 scoláirí againn ins na Coláistí ullmhuighthe. Fógruigheadh an Scéim i mbliadhna agus tá iarrataisí ag teacht isteach go tiugh.
5.Téics-Leabhar.—Tá a lán téicsleabhar dos na scoileanna ag teacht amach fé ughdaras Aireacht an Oideachais. Cuireadh fógra amach 'ghá iarraidh ar aon duine go raibh adhbhar leabhair ullamh aige an láimh-sgríbhinn do chur chugainn. Déanfar iarracht Standard a dhéanamh maidir le téarmaí scoile agus mar sin.
6.Coláistí Gaedhilge.—Bhí Comhdháil againn de lucht na gColáistí agus socruigheadh na leigfí aon tosnuightheóirí isteach sa Ghaedhealtacht i mbliadhna. Múinteóirí a bhfuil an Ghaedhilg go maith nó cuibheasach maith aca a cuirfear ann.
Nuair a bhítheas ag ceapadh Cláir dos na bun-scoileanna bhí lámh ag na múinteóirí ins an obair. Sé an scéal céadna é maidir leis an gCoimisiún um Mheadhon-Oideachas. Tá na múinteóirí ana-shásta leis an scéal agus tabharfaid gach cabhair chun an Clár a chur i bhfeidhm.
7.Airgead.—Fuarthas cead ó'n Aireacht—
£450 do chur go dtí Scoil Cheóil Chorcaighe.
£100 do chur go dtí Scoil na Cromóige, Co. Locha gCarman.
£100 do bhronnadh i gcóir Acadaimh Náisiúnta Nuaidh.
[Translation.]
(Report from January 11th to April 21, 1922).
Owing to the changed conditions brought about by the Treaty, the work of the Department has been greatly facilitated. In regard to the Irish Language in particular more progress has been made this year in the schools and elsewhere than during the whole period of the Gaelic Revival Movement. Evidence of this appears in the various sections of the Report. Steps are being taken to increase the supply of Irish Teachers and to reorganise school timetable so as to make better use of existing teachers of Irish.
In consultation with the General Council of County Councils the Department has prepared a scheme for scholarships from Primary to Secondary or Vocational Schools. Seven County Councils and the County Borough of Waterford have struck a rate for such Scholarships. The conditions and syllabus of examination have in all cases been submitted to the Department, which will also take part in the examinations.
Schemes have been sanctioned for one year only.
Eighteen County Councils have levied a penny rate for Irish language purposes. The rate is sanctioned by the Department of Local Government on condition that schemes for spending the money are approved by this Department. Much useful work will be done. The striking of the rate is evidence of the existence of a strong feeling among the public on the Irish language question.
A Co-ordination Committee under the Department has prepared a scheme of Co-ordination of Programmes from Primary to Secondary or Vocational Schools.
The Department is advising the Department of Local Government on a scheme for examinations for positions under Local Bodies.
I.—The scheme projected by the Department of Irish in 1920 is now completely in force.
(a) The Department has eight organizers in the Irish-speaking districts. From their Reports schedules are being compiled, showing the position of Irish in the schools, the qualifications of the teachers in Irish, etc.
(b) Competition for Silver Medals.—The entries are far more numerous than last year.
(c) Competitions among Irish-speaking households.—It was found impossible to hold this competition last year. The organizers are preparing to hold it this year.
II.—Primary Schools.—The New Programme prepared under the authority of Dáil Éireann has been issued to the schools from the National Education Office. There is evidence that the teachers will make every effort to put it into operation.
In pursuance of an Order issued by the Provisional Government, Irish is now being taught as an ordinary school subject for at least one hour daily in every school where a teacher is available. Reports as to the working of this rule will show exactly what our teaching power for Irish is.
III.—Secondary Schools.—Last year the Department gave a Silver Cup in each province to the Secondary School which was doing most to encourage the speaking of Irish. Two cups are being offered in each province this year—one for Girls' Schools, and one for Boys'. Four Inspectors have been appointed and have been working since March 1st. They conduct the Cup Examination and report the teaching of Irish in the Schools. They have given much assistance to the teachers and advise schools which are about to take up Irish. A great number of schools which have done no Irish are now arranging for teaching for next year. The present Staffs of these schools are attending Irish classes.
A Programme for the Examinations in 1923 has been prepared in which Irish is on the same footing as English.
The Commission on Secondary Programmes is now considering criticisms received on the Draft Reports and will present a Final Report shortly.
IV.—Scholarships to Preparatory Training Colleges.—There are at present 37 Scholars in Preparatory Colleges under our schemes. The scheme has been advertised this year and applications to date show a big increase on last year.
V.—A number of books in Irish suitable for school use have been published under the authority of the Department. A public notice has been issued asking that all MSS. of this nature should be submitted to the Department with a view to preventing overlapping and confusion as to Terms.
VI.—At a Conference with Representatives of Irish Colleges it has been decided that the Colleges in Irish-speaking districts shall be reserved for teachers who have at least a working knowledge of Irish.
The teachers and other interests co-operated in the preparation of the Primary Programme. The same is true of the work at present in progress with regard to Secondary Schemes. As a result of this policy the teachers will co-operate in every way in giving effect to the Programme in the schools.
Finance.—Permission was obtained from the Ministry to send £450 to Cork School of Music; £100 to Cromog School, Co. Wexford; and to present £100 for a new National Academy.