asked the Minister for Education if it is the intention of his Department to award scholarships on the results of the intermediate certificate examination in the school year 1966-67; and if he is aware that it is important in the interests of secondary schools that such information should be made available as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scholarship Awards.
36.
Mr. Barrett
It is the intention to discontinue the award of the intermediate scholarships with effect from 1967. A circular on the matter will be sent to schools shortly.
Is the Minister aware that it could cause considerable hardship in the case of a boy or girl who had reached intermediate stage on a scholarship to have it discontinued?
I am not so aware. The vast majority, if not all, of the children who have been obtaining these intermediate scholarships are already in possession of a post-primary scholarship which takes them right through up to the leaving certificate. These scholarships, of which there are 72, were instituted at a time when there were no, or practically no other scholarships. Seventy-two are awarded to boys and 40 to girls. They vary in value. The first class scholarship is £40 per annum for two years and the second class is £20 per annum. For girls, the first class scholarship is £30 and the second class is £15. I give these in relation to the total number of children doing these examinations. In the intermediate certificate examination this year, there is a total of 9,720 boys and 11,508 girls.
Is the Minister satisfied that the cessation of these scholarships will not mean any diminution in the educational help for the children concerned?
I am, and I am also satisfied that their elimination will get rid of some undesirable features which have crept in in relation to them in certain schools, such as excessive cramming and an insistence on students likely to obtain it doing the examination not only twice but in some cases three times.
That is a matter between the Minister and the particular school.