asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the special course of study being arranged for the first term of the next academic year for those admitted to the National College of Physical Education for whom a course in Limerick will not now start before January, 1973; and whether he will guarantee that this course will start in Limerick in January next.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National College of Physical Education Course.
38.
The National College of Physical Education students who have completed their first year course in St. Raphael's College (Sion Hill) and Ling College will attend a special orientation course at St. Mary's College, Twickenham, from 4th to 15th September, 1972. The course will consist of theoretical and practical work with special emphasis on the place of physical education in the educational system.
They will be joined on 18th September by the men students who completed their first year course in St. Mary's College. During the one term to be spent in England, special attention will be given to identifying the different emphases which existed in the previous colleges and levelling standards so that the students will form a coherent group by the beginning of the spring term.
Students being recruited this year have been informed that their course will not commence in Limerick until January, 1973. Successful applicants will be given a detailed outline of the course and will be advised on theoretical and practical work which they can pursue prior to the beginning of their course.
A contract has been signed which allows for the opening of the first phase of the new college by January, 1973.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say why no arrangements have been made to teach these students during the first term and how he can regard as satisfactory a proposal that the men and women students should from 18th September until Christmas sit down and talk to each other about what they did in their first year, which is what he has just read out? Would he not agree that some kind of teaching should be provided and that they could discuss each other's experiences during the first year in rather less time than two months?
There is no question of that. In fact the Deputy's interpretation of what I said is totally inaccurate.
In what respect? Would the Parliamentary Secretary read out again what he said and show in what way is it different from what I said?
It is not part of my intention or of anybody else's intention to have the students spend the full term discussing what happened in the previous year. If the Deputy wants to place that facetious emphasis on it he may. He is free to do so.
I must have misunderstood what the Parliamentary Secretary said. Would he read out again what he said so that the whole House will know exactly what he said.
We have many other questions and the Chair is not allowing the Parliamentary Secretary to read it out again. We have too many questions to deal with.
That is all right. I think some of us know what he said.