asked the Minister for Education if he will state his policy in relation to the future of one-teacher schools; and whether this policy will apply uniformly throughout the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - One-Teacher Schools.
26.
Mr. R. Burke
The educational disadvantages associated with one-teacher schools are so great that I feel that in general such schools should be continued only where satisfactory alternative arrangements for the education of the children concerned cannot be made.
Does the Minister consider then that a one-teacher school cannot give satisfactory educacation up to the required level and enable a child to compete successfully with other pupils subsequently at post-primary level where he will meet with children who have come from schools where the new curriculum is in operation?
Mr. R. Burke
I think the best way of going about all these decisions is to take them individually and not to have any set policy on the matter, to judge each one individually, and that is what I intend to do in each case from now on.
Everybody is aware that the Minister has made an exception in relation to one school, in Dún Chaoin, and we are puzzled as to how the educational benefits which he says cannot be obtained in a one-teacher school can apply in Dún Chaoin.
I do not think we should draw Dún Chaoin into this matter.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that re-application can now be made in respect of one-teacher schools that have been closed and that these will be considered individually, as the Minister has indicated?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy may draw that inference from my statement. The question of Dún Chaoin was a special one. I have mentioned already a number of times the special social and cultural considerations in relation to it.
The Minister cannot get away with this obvious attempt to justify the re-opening of Dún Chaoin school while closing other schools. Is the Minister aware of a circular in relation to transport which was issued in April to the managers and principal teachers of primary schools requesting them to take the greatest care in relation to the determining of the eligibility of pupils for transport and that this was to be determined by the distance from the nearest suitable national school but that in the case of a pupil attending a school other than a one-teacher school, that child shall not, as a rule, be regarded as being ineligible for free transport simply because of his home being situated nearer the one-teacher school?
Mr. R. Burke
Is the Deputy asking me if I am aware that such a circular was issued?
Yes.
Mr. R. Burke
I am so aware.
Then, does the Minister not accept that this particular directive is an admission that, as we are all aware, a one-teacher school is not a suitable school in the present educational climate and that the children attending these schools are placed at a very serious educational disadvantage?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy ought to realise that one cannot lay down hard and fast rules in relation to the education of children. In some instances, a one-teacher school might suit the situation as, for example, in respect of the education of the minority in this country. Is the Deputy suggesting that the rules we operate for the minority should apply to the entire community? He will appreciate that in these matters decisions are made in the light of circumstances.
This is——
We shall have to move on from this question. I have already allowed a considerable number of supplementaries on it.
This is a very serious matter. It relates to whether our children are to be educated properly. In relation to children of the minority faiths, special regulations were made to enable these children——
We are now having a debate on this matter. We shall have to press on. Question No. 27.
(Interruptions.)
The present Minister is the best Minister for Education that we have ever had.
The Deputy will never learn.
Education passed over his head.
Am I being allowed to ask one supplementary?
Yes, if the Deputy is very brief.
Can the Minister say if he will clear up the confusion that he is causing in the minds of parents and also among the teaching profession in relation to his policy or lack of policy in respect of one-teacher schools? He has made a statement here today which is contrary to information he gave me by way of letter. Because I am dissatisfied with his reply here, I intend, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to raise the matter on the Adjournment so that this question may be cleared up once and for all.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
There cannot be double standards but, perhaps this is part of the trick-of-the-loopery about which Deputy Kelly told us.
Deputy Molloy had double standards while he was on this side of the House.
How can the Minister reconcile the answer he is giving to this question with the previous answer? He has given two answers that are in complete contradiction to each other.
I have called Question No. 27 and I must ask that it be answered.
On a point of order, is it right for a former Minister to accuse the present Minister of trick-of-the-loopery? That will stick in the throats of the Deputies opposite.