asked the Minister for Education if any change is being made in the age limit for secondary school scholarships.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Age Limit For Secondary School Scholarships.
99.
As has been already announced, it is proposed that from 1963 onwards the age limits for the examination for the award of scholarships to secondary, vocational and other approved schools under the Local Authorities (Education Scholarships) Amendment Act 1961 shall be eleven to thirteen years on 1st April of the year of examination, that is, a reduction of eight months in both the upper and lower age-limits which obtain at present for that examination.
Does the Minister realise that this will deprive a whole age group in any one year of an opportunity to compete for scholarships?
I do not think it will, because adequate warning of about two years was given.
The warning does not make them any younger.
On general educational grounds I am convinced that 13 is a better age than 14 to go into post-primary education. Even if there is some hardship I think it is worth changing for the benefit of the thousands of children in later years who will benefit.
I am not disagreeing with that, but provision should be made for the interim period because there will be one whole age group deprived of their chance——
There is not any arrangement one could make.
Will the Minister look into the matter?
I have been studying it.