asked the Minister for Education if he will state Government policy with respect to co-education in secondary schools, with special reference to areas outside large cities.
116.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary School Co-education.
115.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that co-education in secondary schools is not acceptable to certain teaching orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
117.
asked the Minister for Education if it is the Government's intention to implement a policy of co-education in secondary schools within a community in which the parents of the children concerned are against such a policy.
118.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state Government policy with regard to the sanctioning of a grant to aid the establishment of a secondary school in a community with special reference to enrolment requirements.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116, 117 and 118 together.
The attitude of any particular Order to co-education is a matter for that Order and is not something on which I can usefully comment. As the Deputy seems to be aware, attitudes vary amongst the teaching Orders. In the particular case which I am sure the Deputy has in mind one Order is willing to participate in running a co-educational school; the other Order involved is not. So far as my Department is concerned, it is a matter for parents and school authorities to decide whether a co-educational school is acceptable or not but there are situations outside the larger urban areas where it is possible to maintain an adequate school on a co-educational basis and where it would not be possible to maintain two separate single sex schools. In such circumstances it is a matter for parents and school authorities to decide whether they wish to have a co-educational school locally or to avail of free transport to larger centres where it would be possible to have separate single sex schools. Grants to aid the establishment of secondary schools are available under my Department's building scheme; such grants are sanctioned where my Department is satisfied that such a school fills a need which cannot be met by existing schools. Opinions vary on the optimum size of a post-primary school but a total potential enrolment of something between 400 and 800 seems to command a fair measure of acceptance with exceptions being made in special circumstances, that is to say, in areas of scattered population.
The Minister says "a fair measure of acceptance". By whom? I have been in education for quite a while and I would regard a secondary school as being quite feasible at a figure between 80 and 100. Who are these people who are advising the Minister?
The Dublin Advisory Council.
Sin ceist eile. I am not interested in what the Dublin Advisory Council may say. You could set up a school of 4,000 students here by collecting them within a mile or two. Does the Minister really accept the advice of this Dublin Advisory Council? Does he agree with it? I do not believe the Minister does.
In taking their advice into consideration when I am making my decision, I am concerning myself with ensuring that the broadest possible curriculum is provided.
I hope the Minister will not close down secondary schools of 80 to 100 pupils.