asked the Minister for Education whether there is at present sitting a Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the Training College system, and, if so, whether he will state how long this Committee is in existence, what are its terms of reference and personnel, has any interim report been issued or has any oral evidence been taken; what outside bodies, if any, have been invited by this Committee to place their views before it and on what date were such invitations, if any, issued; whether the scheme for the establishment of preparatory colleges was a recommendation from this Committee, and, if so, whether the Minister will state what body or bodies, if any, were consulted by this Committee before such recommendation was made.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF TEACHERS.
A Committee consisting of the following officers of the Department, viz., the Chief Inspector of the Primary Branch (Chairman), one of the General Inspectors of the Department, a senior Inspector of the Technical Instruction Branch, the General Organising Inspector of Agricultural Science, and the Principal Clerk of the National Education Office, was set up in December, 1924, to examine the existing arrangements for the recruitment and training of teachers.
The Department felt that the monitorial system had failed in its purpose, and had under consideration the question of the substitution of residential Preparatory Colleges situated mainly in the Irish-speaking districts as a means of recruiting suitable candidates for the teaching profession.
At an early stage the Committee satisfied itself that the monitorial system should be abolished and Preparatory Coleges substituted.
The outline of the proposed scheme was explained to a deputation from the Executive Committee of the Teachers' Organisation in February, 1925. The matter was also discussed with representatives of the Managers and Ecclesiastical Authorities; with representatives of the Irish Colleges and of the Gaelic League, and with several other bodies connected with educational activity.
In March, 1925, the Committee submitted an Interim Report recommending the abolition of monitors, the revision of the pupil-teacher system, and setting out the lines on which the proposed Preparatory Colleges should be set up.
During the discussion in the Dáil on the Estimates for 1925-26, the President intimated the intention of the Department to proceed with the establishment of Preparatory Colleges.
In July, 1925, the Minister for Education, in the tour of various centres for the Irish course, discussed the scheme with various parties interested in education, and endeavoured to obtain their views as to the manner in which the scheme could be worked.
On the 15th October, 1925, a full outline of the proposed scheme was sent to the Executive of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, and they were informed that the Committee would be glad to discuss the whole question with the representatives of the Organisation on a suitable date about the end of that month. A meeting, however, with representatives of the Teachers' Organisation did not take place.
Pending approval of the Preparatory College proposals, the Committee deferred its inquiry into the general question of the training of teachers, but has now resumed its sittings and is at present collecting evidence from persons who have knowledge of the inner working of the Training Colleges. Some Inspectors who had been teachers, and who had undergone a course of training, have already been examined.
The following bodies either have been invited or are about to be invited to place their views before the Committee:—The representatives of the Management and of the Staffs of the Training Colleges, Professors of Education in the University Colleges, the Managers' Association, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, and such other persons or bodies as appear to be in a position to give assistance to the Committee.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Can the Minister say whether this interim report has ever been published and made available to anybody?
I could not. The Deputy will have to put down a question.
Can the Minister say whether any other bodies outside those directly connected with teaching will be invited to express their views on this proposal?
I do not know, but I presume if representations were made to the Minister anybody who could give valuable evidence and wished to do so would certainly be invited.
Other bodies outside those connected with teaching are interested in education in the country.
I take it that the Minister will be glad to have any evidence from anybody who wishes to give evidence.