Vol. 432 No. 7
118 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the disruption in primary schools in County Donegal due to her policy of not allowing pupils to repeat sixth class or spend a year in seventh class; and if she will reconsider the matter.
The staffing of national schools for a particular year is determined by the valid enrolment in the school on the preceding 30 September. Only in exceptional circumstances can pupils who are repeating sixth standard be counted as validly enrolled for staffing and other purposes.
The primary school curriculum is designed as an eight year programme with provision for an infant programme of approximately two years followed by six years in standards 1 to 6. The syllabus for each component of the curriculum is designed to give the greatest possible degree of flexibility in selecting programmes best suited to the needs of individual pupils and schools.
The retention of pupils who have completed the 6th standard and are at an age to transfer to second level education is not acceptable to my Department.
