Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Jun 1965

Vol. 216 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Training of Teachers.

49.

Mr. Cluskey

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that at present candidates for training as national teachers are rejected on the sole grounds that they are unable to sing; and that as a result candidates who are eminently well suited for training as teachers in all other respects are being excluded from training owing to a natural disability which no effort on their part can overcome; and if, in view of the urgent need for more national teachers in order to reduce the excessive size of classes especially in the Dublin area, he will amend the regulations governing acceptance for training so as to remove the requirement that all national teachers should have the ability to sing.

50.

Mr. Cluskey

asked the Minister for Education if he will consider instituting a system whereby singing and other forms of music in national schools are taught by specialist teachers with particular musical ability and training, where necessary one teacher serving a number of schools, and thus remove the necessity for all national teachers, whether musically gifted or not, to teach singing.

Minister for Education (Mr. Colley)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.

Singing is a compulsory subject for all grades in national schools. Furthermore, in junior classes, it forms an integral part of the teaching of other subjects, instruction being given by means of simple rhymes in song. For these reasons, it is essential that national teachers be able to sing and I am not prepared to alter the Department's regulations in this regard.

I should like, however, to add that boys who obtain 2,000 or more marks at the Leaving Certificate Examination are not required to pass the test in singing.

I may also add, for the Deputy's information, that an ample supply of suitably qualified candidates is available for training as national teachers.

Mr. James Tully

It is a terribly stupid regulation.

Mr. Corish

Do Ministers have to be able to sing?

Mr. Colley

Ministers do not have to.

Mr. Corish

It is ridiculous to insist on this qualification. Singing is a talent that cannot be acquired. Surely people who cannot sing should not be debarred from the teaching profession?

Mr. Colley

I have pointed out that in the case of men who are particularly talented other than in singing, they can become teachers if they obtain more than 2,000 marks in the Leaving Certificate. From the point of view of ensuring that our children are taught singing, and particularly because of the fact that many of our primary schools are one-teacher schools, we must ensure that our teachers are capable of teaching singing.

Mr. James Tully

In view of the fact that many children cannot sing anyway, what is the use?

51.

Mr. Cluskey

asked the Minister for Education if his Department studied the recommendations regarding the teaching of music in schools made some time ago by Foras Éireann in their survey of music in Ireland carried out by Dr. Joseph Groocock; and, if so, which, if any, of these recommendations have yet been put into practice.

Mr. Colley

I am aware of the publication of the survey referred to by the Deputy, but this survey was not submitted to the Department of Education by the sponsoring body for consideration. In the course of the survey, the writer has made comments on the present position with regard to the teaching of music rather than specific recommendations for its improvement. Where relevant, these comments have been noted and, in the main, they refer to aspects of music teaching which are under continuous review in the Department. Measures taken in the past few years as a result of this review include the addition of courses in musicianship to the curriculum of secondary schools as an alternative to established music courses, the appointment of country musical organisers by certain vocational education committees and the provision by the Department of special summer courses for music teachers in secondary schools.