asked the Minister for Education if in relation to his intention announced in the Dáil on 26th November, 1959, to review the question of teaching through Irish in national schools he has received any representations from Irish language organisations or other sources; and if he will state the nature and the source of these representations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teaching through Irish in National Schools.
31.
My Department is constantly receiving representations from various organisations and individuals in relation to the many matters connected with education. It is the unvarying practice not to disclose the nature of these representations or their source. I regret, therefore, that I cannot comply with the Deputy's request.
Could the Minister tell us whether, consequent on his statement of intention to review these matters, any circular has issued from his Department in that connection to the primary schools?
The next Question deals with that.
32.
asked the Minister for Education if he has completed his examination of the question of teaching through Irish in national schools, referred to in a reply of 26th November, 1959; if he is now satisfied that the present practice is not achieving its aim; and what reforms he proposes to effect in the matter.
I would refer the Deputy to my statements in relation to this matter made during the course of my speech in the House on the 24th February and 2nd March—Dáil Debates Vol. 179, Nos. 5 and 7. I also propose, with the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to have circulated in the Official Report copy of a circular on the matter recently issued to managers and teachers in national schools.
Following is a copy of the circular:
Cearcalán chuig Bainisteoirí agus Múinteoirí.
Teagasc na Gaeilge.
Maidir leis an gcóip atá ag gabháil leis seo de Imlitir Uimh. 16/59 a bhaineann le cúrsaí cigiríochta, is mian leis an Aire Oideachais a mheabhrú go speisialta nach ndéanfar feasta deighilt idir labhairt agus scríobh na Gaeilge nuair a bheifear ag tabhairt breithmheasa ar obair mhúinteora i dteagasc na Gaeilge. Níor mhór, ámh, go dtuigfeadh na múinteoirí gur do labhairt na Gaeilge a bhéarfaidh an cigire an tábhacht is mó nuair a bheidh sé ag teacht ar an mbreithmheas san. Ina leith sin ba mhaith leis an Aire a chur in iúl a mhéid is atá sé ag dréim leis go ndéanfaidh na múinteoirí gach dícheall chun labhairt na Gaeilge do chur ar aghaidh i measc na ndaltaí oiread agus is féidir agus a luaithe agus is féidir. Chuige sin, má tharla múinteoir sásta i leith na ndaltaí atá aige i rang sóisear bliain ar bith, ag féachaint dó dá gcaighdeán intleachta 7rl., gur mó de dhul chun cinn a dhéanfaidís ó thaobh labhairt na Gaeilge dá dtógfaí an béim ó theagasc tré Ghaeilge ina gcás san agus é do chur ar theagasc gnáthchomhrá Gaeilge, beidh lán-saoirse aige é sin do dhéanamh. Beidh sé sin, ar ndó, fé réir na tuiscinte go measfar a chuid oibre i gcás na Gaeilge go príomhdha ó thaobh an dul chun cinn i labhairt na teangan a bheidh déanta ag na daltaí.
T. Ó RAIFEARTAIGH
Rúnaí.
Circular to Managers and Teachers.
Teaching of Irish.
With reference to the attached copy of Circular No. 16/59 relating to inspection, the Minister for Education desires to call special attention to the fact that in future a teacher's work in the teaching of Irish will be assessed as a whole and that there will not be separate assessments of Oral Irish and Written Irish. It should be understood, however, that the Inspector, when making his assessment of the work as a whole, will attach greater importance to Oral Irish than to Written Irish. In this connection the Minister wishes to stress his desire that the teachers should make every effort to advance as far as possible and as quickly as possible the speaking of Irish amongst their pupils. If, with this in view, a teacher is satisfied in relation to pupils whom he may have in a junior class in any year that, having regard to the level of their intelligence, etc., he would be likely to make more progress with them in Oral Irish by transferring the emphasis from teaching through Irish to the teaching of Irish Conversation, then such teacher will be free to act accordingly. That of course will be on the understanding that his work in the case of Irish will be assessed principally from the point of view of the advance made by the pupils in the spoken tongue.
T. Ó RAIFEARTAIGH
Rúnaí.