asked the Minister for Education (a) whether he is aware of a device apparently used when the roll-call is taken immediately class begins so that children, particularly those in large families, who may be ten, five or fifteen minutes late are marked absent and so qualify for retention in a lower grade class for a second year for other than educational reasons; and (b) whether any system exists of checking the absentee incidence of roll-call figures against the prosecutions for true absentee incidents in such circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary School Procedures.
45.
I am not aware of any such device or practice. The relevant rule provides that roll-call must be completed not later than 40 minutes after the time fixed for the commencement of formal instruction at the school meeting and that a minimum period of ten minutes shall be set down in the time-table for it.
Prosecutions under the School Attendance Act are not undertaken unless it is clearly established that there is wilful neglect on the part of the parent in sending his children to school.
Does the Minister not consider that the framing of a question such as this is an insult to the teaching profession? Has the Minister any evidence to suggest that this practice exists anywhere but in the mind of Deputy Browne? Is the Minister aware that Deputy Browne is in favour of a device which would ensure that there would be no large families attending any school?
That is a separate question.
46.
asked the Minister for Education whether he has any information about the charge made that there are primary schools where the children think they are in sixth grade while they are in fact working at fifth grade programmes; and further that reports for VEC purposes are made out by teachers in such schools as if the children were in fact working in sixth grade programmes, while in fact working at fifth grade level.
47.
asked the Minister for Education whether in view of the policy now current in certain areas whereby, through fear that closure of a primary school may follow the reduction of the averages, (a) whole classes of pupils are being deliberately held back and not promoted to a class equal to their educational potential and (b) the books from year to year may not be changed to a higher standard but merely substituted for different new books of the same standards in order to deceive the children and parents, he will state what action he intends to take to verify and, if necessary, remedy such abuses.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.
I am satisfied from the information at my disposal that there is no valid basis for any such general allegations. I would, of course, be prepared to investigate any specific complaint of such a nature which might be brought to my attention at any time.