asked the Minister for Education by whom the confidential report document on pupils was prepared.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on School Pupils.
30.
I take it that the Deputy refers to the school record card system now in use in primary schools in place of the primary certificate examination. The card was prepared by my Department after full consultation with the managerial and teaching bodies concerned.
Could the Minister say if the parents were consulted in the preparation of these cards?
The only information I have here is that full consultation took place between the mangerial and teaching bodies.
Would the Minister list the information that is sought on this card?
The full information?
Yes, please.
Pupil's surname; other names; date of birth, name, address; date of admission; school, date of admission to the first standard; Family; number of children in family; place of pupil in family; occupation of parents or guardians; home environment. Then, General: application, interest, health; followed by: Remarks: total attendance, number of days on which school was in operation, if attendance irregular, state reasons. Attainments: Irish, English, mathematics, history, geography, music, needlework; Any other subjects. This refers to a number of standards.
Would the Minister not agree that there is a number of objectionable questions on that?
I do not think so. I think the general reason for this card is so that the authorities in the secondary or vocational school will have full information so as to make allowances where necessary.
Would the Minister say if he considers it suitable that the occupations of the parents of the child or the home environment should be included? Is it expected that the teacher should go into every home and inspect it so that he can report on home environment?
No, I do not think so. I think the reason for this is to help the teachers to help the child.
To create a system of nosy-parkers.
No, nothing like that.
Is there any information as to how the marks are calculated under "attainments" in the different subjects?
There is an examination——
And marks awarded?
That is the general idea.