asked the Minister for Education the number of candidates and schools entering candidates for drawing in the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations; the number of inspectors in drawing in his Department; and the qualifications and previous teaching experience of such inspectors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Examinations in Drawing.
60.
For the purpose of the certificate examinations the subjects art and drawing consist of a number of combinations of the papers set in the following four sections of drawing: object and memory drawing, drawing from natural forms, mechanical drawing and design, and pictorial drawing.
The latest year for which statistics are available is 1964. In that year the numbers of schools entering candiates for these subjects and the numbers of such candidates were as follows:
|
Examination |
Number of schools |
Number of candidates |
|
Intermediate Certificate |
419 |
8,505 |
|
Leaving Certificate |
372 |
4,442 |
The one inspector for drawing in my Department was recruited from an open competition. In the case of an individual officer it would not be proper for me to furnish information as requested, other than to state that he holds the qualifications prescribed in the competition from which he was appointed.
Is the Minister aware that in Northern Ireland there are over 20 inspectors to inspect a lesser number of pupils and having regard to this, would he consider recruiting additional inspectors for art and drawing?
It may be that the inspectorate situation at the moment in regard to drawing is not quite adequate and I am reviewing the situation to see if anything can be done about it.