asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the senior book published by an Irish firm for use by children in our national schools which contains political Party propaganda and a glorification of a colleague of the former Minister for Education who authorised the use of such book; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National School Book.
The Minister for Education does not give any instruction, direction or advice to publishers of readers intended for use in primary schools. He sanctions on application the placing of suitable books on an approved official list. He does not recommend the use of any particular book. The selection of the books to be used in any class is a matter for the school manager.
It has been suggested to me that certain readers in use in schools contain matter which would appear to be specially selected for the purpose of popularising particular persons at present active in Party politics. I would not countenance anything which could be represented as a development or a tendency of this kind, but I would be reluctant to interfere with the discretion of publishers or to depart from the practice I have outlined.