asked the Minister for Education whether any examination of extra study institutions is under way; if he will state his Department's policy in relation to these; whether he is aware that numbers of schoolchildren are now attending extra organised study courses outside regular school hours; and whether he considers these courses constitute a hazard to the health of the children concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Extra Study Institutions .
10.
: I assume that the extra study institutions referred to but not defined in the question are commercial organisations which do not come within my jurisdiction. My Department have no connection with such institutions and, accordingly, I have no precise information in regard to the number of pupils attending them. I do not wish to offer any observations in regard to them.
: The facts are not in dispute but would the Minister not agree that the existence and apparent profitability of these institutions is in some way a reflection on the educational system?
: I know of their existence but I know nothing of their profitability. I will not accept that they are a reflection on the quality of our own institutions.
: In the light of what he said I invite the Minister to suggest that schools receiving grants from the Department have a responsibility to the students who are enrolled and who may happen to fail particular examinations and that the interests of these pupils might be better served in many cases by giving them priority at the schools which they were originally attending rather than forcing them out into the private market, a market deprecated by the teacher unions where they have to pay for instruction that they should be getting for nothing.
: Students are not precluded from our schools because of failure.