asked the Minister for Education if he will state whether in view of the facts disclosed in the recently published annual report of the Department of Education that in the three years ended 1936-1937 the average number of pupils on the rolls of the primary schools fell by 24,783, and the average daily attendances by 28,986, he has caused inquiry to be made into the causes of this serious fall; and whether he will make a report on the matter to the Dáil, and, if not, if he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Attendances.
The enrolments in national schools in recent years have been affected to some extent by certain incidental factors, viz.: (a) the increase in the number of boys and girls in attendance at secondary schools and vocational schools and classes, and (b) the raising of the age for enrolment of pupils in national schools from three to four years of age as from the 1st April, 1934. Inquiries lead me to believe that the fall in the enrolment of pupils in national schools during the period referred to in the Deputy's questions is due mainly to the decrease in the number of births. The issue is, therefore, a social, not an educational problem.
Will the Minister say if the social aspect of the question is being inquired into by the Government?
That is a separate question.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state the total number of pupils on the rolls of the primary schools on the 30th June, 1938, in the (a) infants, (b) first, (c) second, (d) third, (e) fourth, (f) fifth, (g) sixth, (h) seventh, (i) eighth standards, and the gross total number of pupils on the rolls.
The information requested by the Deputy is not yet available. It is expected, however, that the return of the total number of pupils on the rolls will be completed about the end of this month and the figures will be forwarded to the Deputy. Statistics in respect of the pupils arranged according to standards will not be available for some time.
May I ask the Minister if those figures will be published in the Official Report, as well as being supplied to the Deputies?
Very well.