(An Clár) asked the Minister for Education if he can state whether the teaching of Gaelic poetry in the secondary schools is officially discouraged, and, if so, why it is discouraged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaelic Poetry in Secondary Schools.
Pádraig O hOgáin
The teaching of Gaelic poetry in secondary schools is not officially discouraged. I would refer the Deputy to Paragraph IV, page 56, of the Department's last official Report (1926/7), in which the study and memorising of Gaelic poetry in secondary schools is recommended.
Mr. Hogan
Could the Minister indicate how many questions requiring a knowledge of Irish poetry have been set in Intermediate papers for the last three years?
The Deputy gave me no notice of that, but I can tell him that in the examination for Leaving Certificates, for instance, in 1928, he will find that there are 90 marks alloted to poetry, or something over 22½ per cent.