asked the Minister for Education the reason why History and Geography are combined with unequal marks as one subject in the Intermediate Certificate Examination, while they are treated as separate and equally valuable subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination; and whether he proposes to rectify this anomaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - History and Geography Marks in Examinations.
27.
History and Geography were so combined in the arrangement set out by the Dáil Commission of 1924, and this arrangement has obtained ever since.
At the Intermediate level the courses prescribed are of a general nature, including a certain amount of general knowledge, and are to a substantial degree complementary. At Leaving Certificate level each of them becomes more specialised.
The marks allotted—250 for History and 150 for Geography—at Intermediate Certificate level represent approximately the extent and nature of the matter to be covered in the respective syllabuses.
The School Associations on the whole appear to be satisfied with the present position and accordingly I do not feel called upon to introduce a change in the matter.
Will the Minister not admit that, as far as the other subjects in the Intermediate Certificate examination are concerned, they also are of a general nature?
The question was asked as to why they are grouped at one level and not grouped at the other. The reason is that at the first level, they are general in nature and complementary to each other, whereas, at the higher level, they are more specialised and therefore have a distinctive syllabus.
The Minister sees no reason to change the system?
Not at present.