asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction amongst national school teachers regarding the range, choice and suitability of present day text books and if, as an incentive to individual teachers towards writing such text books, he will agree to the suggestion that Ard Teastas Gaeilge diplomas should be awarded each year to three persons from each province who make a literary contribution of such a nature as to further and facilitate the teaching of primary school subjects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary School Subjects.
I am not aware that there is general dissatisfaction amongst national school teachers regarding the range, choice and suitability of present day text books. I am not prepared to alter the basis on which the Ard Teastas Gaeilge is awarded at present.
Even though he may not be aware of the general dissatisfaction, would the Minister not reconsider his decision with a view to stimulating interest in the writing and making available of primary school texts?
I do not think I will change the basis of the examination for the Ard Teastas. I am not aware that there is general dissatisfaction. I have been in numbers of schools and on no occasion have I been informed that the books are faulty—not that I like them myself.