asked the Minister for Education if there is a test prescribed by his Department for entrants to State-assisted secondary schools; and if he will state the purpose of such test.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Test for Entrants to State-Assisted Secondary Schools.
9.
A pupil is not eligible for enrolment in a class in a secondary school for the purpose of his recognition as a pupil in respect of whom capitation and other grants may be paid to the Manager of the school unless he is sufficiently advanced in knowledge and intelligence to enable him to follow, with reasonable success, a course of secondary education. In order to test their eligibility for such recognition the manager is required to hold an entrance examination of all new pupils on or before the 15th October each year. Pupils who have passed certain specified examinations may be exempted from the entrance examination, if the manager so desires.
Could the Minister say what happens to the less brilliant pupil who does not pass this test and whose parents desire to give him secondary education?
I think the words used by the Deputy, "less brilliant", hardly apply to the case. The examination is of the primary leaving standard, which is sixth standard, and I do not think it requires great brilliance, at any rate, to pass it. The intention is to ensure that secondary education will avail the young person receiving it. If he is not able to pass an examination of the standard required, I think he is better advised to seek education in another form.
Would the Minister say what other form? There are certain children who may be of less than average intelligence but who could absorb secondary education if regard was had to considerations other than this test. In view of that, would the Minister not to prepared to instruct the people who carry out these examinations to include reports of the pupil's progress over the primary school years, in other words, not to base it entirely on this test but to take into consideration the pupil's record over the years that he spent in the primary school? Am I correct in assuming that, if a pupil does not pass this one test, he is immediately shot down and refused? Is that the position at the moment?
I do not believe the circumstances under which these tests are carried out are as stringent as the Deputy suggests. I am sure ample allowance is made in respect of any young person who has had a reasonably good primary school course, in order to permit him to do a secondary school course. I do not think there is any great stringency.