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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Nov 1969

Vol. 242 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Secondary School Entry Age.

133.

asked the Minister for Education if, arising out of his answer to Questions Nos. 80 and 81 of Thursday, 6th November, he will explain how the rule that a pupil to be recognised must be eleven years and eight months old at least on 1st September of the year of entry to secondary school ensures that pupils will not be entering secondary education before they have completed their primary education, in view of the fact that a significant minority of pupils is capable of completing primary education before that age.

134.

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that, in fixing a minimum age for the entry of recognised pupils to secondary education, the interests of the minority of pupils proceeding to a university or other institution of higher education, or entering for a competition based on the Leaving Certificate are placed before the interests of the majority of pupils who will not fall into these categories; if this aspect of the matter has received consideration, and if so, with what result.

With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take these two questions together. Pupils normally finish their primary education at about the age of twelve and the rule is based on this fact. If no minimum age limit were prescribed a situation could develop when many immature pupils would be enrolled in secondary schools.

The minimum age was not fixed in the interests of a minority of pupils— the vast majority of pupils do not seek post-primary education at an earlier age than 11 years and 8 months.

135.

asked the Minister for Education if he can state with reference to other Western European countries what regulations exist laying down a minimum age for entry to post-primary education; and whether in many of these countries the normal rather than the minimum age of entry to post-primary education is 12, and if in some cases it is less than 12.

136.

asked the Minister for Education what expert educational studies support the provision of a minimum age of entry to post-primary education.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 135 and 136 together.

Schools in Western Europe are organised on a different basis from our schools. Almost everywhere there is a great overlap between primary and post-primary education. A careful study was made of conditions in our own country and the various educational bodies concerned were consulted before the present minimum age was fixed. Furthermore reference was made to the information contained in publications such as "Schools of Europe".

Can the Minister name any country in Europe where 12 is the maximum rather than the minimum age for starting post-primary education?

There is considerable overlapping in relation to this matter in various countries in Europe. Pupils may go into what may be classed as a post-primary educational establishment but they continue the type of education which is given in the senior part of our primary schools.

The remaining Questions will be carried over to Tuesday's Order Paper. Deputies who require answers to unanswered questions may obtain written answers by so applying.

The Dáil adjourned at 5 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th November, 1969.

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