asked the Minister for Education whether on 4th November, 1971, he proposed the establishment of a working party to consider in relation to the home economics teacher training colleges the method of selection of trainees, the content of the course, the system of assessment of trainees and any other related matters; and whether, in writing to those concerned, he proposed that this working party should specially concern itself with matters relating to circular V57 dealing with conditions of entry to the course, with a view to revising this circular for distribution early in January.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Economics Teacher Training.
61.
It was not found possible to finalise the arrangements for the setting up of this working party until the end of January last. The arrangements for the issue of memorandum V57 had to proceed in the meantime.
Since the Minister has such advanced ideas about secondary education, may I ask him what have his Department done in relation to this serious subject, home economics, as it is called in the United States? What changes have been made in the course and, in particular, in regard to literary training? What literary subjects are taught to pupils during their period as trainees?
The position is that on 4th November, 1971, as mentioned in the question, the Department wrote to certain responsible persons in the training colleges proposing that a working party be set up to consider in relation to home economics teacher training colleges the method of selection of trainees, the content of the course, the system of assessment of trainees and any other related matters.
I only ask the Minister what changes have been made in the last 40 years in the content of the course for the training of these important teachers.
That is a very broad question, what happened in the last 40 years. I could not be expected to answer that.
I am asking the Minister as a man with such advanced ideas in other aspects of education.
I could not be expected to answer that.
I do not know if the Minister knows his job at all or not.