Vol. 214 No. 2
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of proposals made by the Irish Schoolmasters Association for the establishment of a permanent secondary schools consultative council representative of the Department of Education, universities and managerial and teaching bodies; and whether he will adopt these proposals.
119.
asked the Minister for Education what is the existing machinery available to him for cunsulting the various interests involved in secondary education; and if he is satisfied with it.
I propose, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.
Under the existing procedure it has been the practice to submit proposals relating to secondary school curricula, examinations, etc., to the various recognised Associations connected with these schools. Full consideration is then given to the views received and when the circumstances warrant it the Associations are requested to send representatives to a meeting with representatives of my Department. These arrangements have worked very well in practice.
The proposals made by the Irish Schoolmasters Association raise so many issues and affect so many interests that the consideration of them is likely to take some considerable time.
