asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in respect of the examination for entrance to training colleges for national teachers for 1967, what the compulsory subjects recognised in the leaving certificate examination will be, and the maximum marks allotted to each subject; what optional subjects will be recognised; and if all optional subjects will carry the same maximum marks for the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Entrance to Training Colleges.
31.
The compulsory subjects required of candidates for entrance to training at the leaving certificate pro-examination 1967 are:—
|
Maximum Marks |
|
|
Irish (Hons.) |
600 |
|
English |
400 |
|
Mathematics |
600 |
Candidates may present as optional subjects any three of the other subjects of the leaving certificate programme.
All optional subjects will carry the same maximum mark of 400 for the purpose of the entrance to training examination with the exception of:—
|
Applied Mathematics |
300 marks |
|
Art |
300 ,, |
|
Commerce |
300 ,, |
|
Drawing |
200 ,, |
Is singing included?
Will the Minister have a review of this matter, when sending out his circular to the secondary schools concerned? While I am glad that History and Geography have been uplifted from 300 to 400 marks, when the circular goes out, I should like it to be pointed out to the secondary schools and the students concerned that there are certain subjects carrying lower marks than others. In other words, they are not really optional. If a candidate gets 100 per cent in a subject carrying 300 marks and if another candidate gets 75 per cent in a subject carrying 400 marks one will get 300 marks on the 75 percentage whereas the other student will get only 300 marks on a 100 percentage. To my mind, these four subjects are not really optional. It should be pointed out in the circular that they are not optional and that a candidate will take them at his or her own risk. Furthermore, in view of the fact that the present Minister and his predecessor are tied to the comprehensive system of training and in view of the Minister's statement that there will be free education for all——
Order. The Deputy is not asking a question.
We are depending on the small secondary schools throughout the country——
The Deputy is making a statement; he is not asking a question.
He is making a Second Reading speech.
I want all subjects to carry the same marks. It should be pointed out to the candidate that they are not optional if they do not carry the same marks.
English carries 400 marks and Irish carries 600 marks. Is this right? If a candidate has not passed in singing and if his total marks are under 2,000, he will not be taken whereas if his total marks are over 2,000, he will be taken. If his proficiency is greater in English than in Irish, he may very well fall behind. Does the Minister think that that is a proper attitute when the spoken language here is English?
I understand that these marks are being reviewed. The differences have been standing for many years due to the creation of priorities in subjects. The matter is under review.
Does it not mean that a large number of these boys come from Gaeltacht areas to the detriment of opportunities for boys from other areas? It is most improper.
I wish it were true.
I would ask the Minister for Labour to bring to the notice of the Minister for Education and his advisers that Drawing, Commerce and Art are more practical subjects in a national school than Spanish or French—and I can say that after 31 years' experience.
Is it intended to continue the necessity for a female applicant to a training college to pass in singing?
This is an entirely separate question. I think it has been dealt with by the Minister for Education.
It is affected by the 600 marks for Irish as against 400 marks for English. The minimum is 2,000 marks if the candidate wants to get in without singing.