asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that Circular 10/67 gives managers and principals of national schools discretion to hold back pupils for a second year and, while this retention should normally take place in third or fourth standard, there is no prohibition against retaining pupils for a second year in sixth standard.
Written Answers. - Department of Education Circular.
34.
Circular 10/67 allows principal teachers the discretion to retain an individual pupil in a particular class for a second year where it is felt that such a pupil would benefit educationally from being so retained. It is strongly recommended that such a decision be made only in respect of third or fourth standards and it is clearly stated that the number of instances of this practice should be minimal. In no circumstances would the circular allow for a situation where the whole class or a significant number of any class, should be held back.
It would be in accordance with accepted practice that pupils would transfer to a post-primary school when they have completed 6th standard in national schools. However, an application for an exemption in the case of an individual pupil would be considered by my Department on its merits.