asked the Minister for Education if he has any plans to end the present impasse in the College of Art, Dublin and to give students and staff greater opportunities for participation in the running of the college; and if any changes in the present curriculum are contemplated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National College of Art.
46.
I would refer the Deputy to the statement I issued on Friday last, the 21st February, in relation to the closing of the college. In that statement I referred to an interim advisory council which I had set up to assist the Director in the general government of the college. This council has ten members, viz., the Director of the college, three staff representatives, three student representatives and three persons nominated by me, one of whom is an official of my Department, who are associated with art education outside the college. Moreover, the Director has established in the college an academic council. These two bodies provide, in my view, an adequate opportunity to both staff and students to participate in the running of the college.
With regard to the question of changes in the present curriculum, I have asked the interim council, specifically, to reconstruct the curriculum of the three schools of the college—the School of Painting, the School of Sculpture and the School of Design— and to make recommendations so as to allow greater flexibility in the choice of courses. This council has been in existence only since the beginning of the present term and has already held three meetings. I hope that I will have the council's recommendations as soon as possible.
With regard to my closing of the college each student has been informed that on receipt of an assurance from him or her that he or she will attend normal classes and comply with the college regulations he or she will be readmitted to the college.
I might add that if the Deputy studies the recent demand of the students he will see that conceding it would take away all authority from the Director and teachers of the college.
I have had a meeting with a group of representatives of parents of students in the College of Art and I am hopeful that it will have fruitful results.
This college has been directly under the care of the Department of Education. I am sure the Minister will agree that this is a situation which must be ended as soon as possible and that it would be impossible for civil servants to run a college of this sort. There have been complaints about the curriculum for some time. Would the Minister agree that there have been protests before now about the running of the college and that it is a bit late in the day for this tragic situation to have arisen? Will the Minister give a reassurance to the House and to the country of an early reopening of the college following his meeting with the parents yesterday?
I am very hopeful that the college will be reopened shortly. I am having a meeting organised for tomorrow between students, parents and the teachers concerned. I am fully aware of the problems involved. Ironically, when somebody tries to do something about the problems, situations arise. I would be hopeful that we would resolve the problems.
Had the Minister any suggestions yesterday from the parents about the actual running of the college?
This whole problem is in my lap and something is being done about it. The whole question in regard to what happened in student-staff relationship—for which I am not responsible—is entirely a matter between themselves. It is rather unfortunate that it should happen when something constructive is being done about the whole matter.
We may take it, then, that something will be done about the matter?