asked the Minister for Education (a) the total number of pupils in secondary schools in 1962-63, (b) the total number of secondary pupils taking courses in (i) woodwork, (ii) metalwork, and (iii) other handcrafts, and (c) whether he considers that these subjects could with considerable general educational advantage, as distinct from any economic or technological advantage that might accrue, receive more encouragement from his Department in the curriculum of secondary schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary School Pupils.
58.
(a) The total number of pupils in secondary schools in the school-year 1962-63 was 84,916.
(b) There were 377 boys following courses in Manual Training (Woodwork) in that year. While other subjects such as Domestic Science and Art contain an element of Handcraft, Manual Instruction (Woodwork) is the only handcraft subject as such on the curriculum.
(c) As has been previously announced, arrangements are being made to extend considerably the curriculum for the Intermediate Certificate Examination. The extension of the curriculum will include greater scope for purely handcraft subjects.