asked the Minister for Education whether any representations have been made to him as to the injurious effects on the minds and health of infants in the national schools of the exclusion of the use of their home language in the infant classes in their instruction; and, if so, what action has been taken on these representations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teaching Methods in National Schools.
In a few instances representations have been made that, if all the work in the infants' classes were done through Irish, there would be a mental and physical strain on the children. I have no reason to believe that the suggestion has any real foundation. If any serious effects of this kind were to be observed I have no doubt the inspectors would draw the attention of my Department to the matter.
Would the Minister direct the attention of his inspectors to the complaints which reached him and ask them to investigate that matter further?
Perhaps the Deputy will put down another question.
Surely this arises out of the Minister's reply that normally when he hears a complaint he would direct the attention of his inspector to such a complaint when it reached him.
asked the Minister for Education whether he has consulted the principals of any national schools in Dublin City as to the effects of the exclusion of the home language from the infants' classes on the children coming up to senior schools each July; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of consulting them in the interest both of the Irish language and of the general education of the children.
The programme for primary schools introduced in 1926 was adopted on the report of a conference which included representatives of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation and the revision of that programme, issued to the schools in September, 1934, was the subject of a conference between representatives of that organisation and of my Department (including a representative of the inspectorate). My Department is in constant touch with the inspectors who have charge of the schools in Dublin City. In the circumstances, I see no reason for a consultation such as the Deputy suggests.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, does he not think it worth sending a half-penny postcard to the principal teachers of the City of Dublin to ascertain their views upon a question which has been freely canvassed amongst educationists all over the country?