asked the Minister for Education the maximum marks awarded in the Intermediate and Leaving Certificate Examinations for (a) French, (b) German, (c) Spanish, (d) Italian, (e) Latin and (f) Greek; and if as a means of encouraging the learning of modern continental languages which will become more important as inter-European trade expands he will increase the marks awarded for modern continental languages and reduce the marks awarded for Latin and Greek.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Learning of Continental Languages.
21.
Mr. Ryan
The maximum number of marks assigned to each of the subjects mentioned is 400.
The maximum awarded to subjects in the Certificate Examinations is a matter that is reviewed periodically. It is only as recently as 1949 that the maximum for modern continental languages was raised to the same level as that for Latin and Greek. A further review will have to be made in connection with the consideration of the Report of the Council of Education on the Secondary school curriculum which has recently been submitted to me.
In relation to this further review the question will arise as to whether it would be educationally sound to act as envisaged by the Deputy. There will also arise the question to what extent the choice of languages for study is influenced by the maximum marks assigned to them. In fact, where Pass and Honours are concerned the particular maximum mark assigned does not arise, but only the percentage obtained.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister be able to give any indication to the House as to when the Report of the Council of Education on Secondary Education may be made available?
I answered a Question on that last week, Sir.
It does not arise on this Question.
The Report is going to the printers and I cannot say for certain how long it will be with the printers.
There was an item in the Report of the Committee on Public Accounts six months ago about it.