§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that of the 155 pupil teachers examined in July, 1887, only 33 were appointed teachers in National schools in Ireland during the year 1887; and, whether Rule 151 of the Board of National Education excludes pupil teachers from appointment as teachers in National schools; and, if so, whether he will suggest to the Commissioners the advis- 81 ability of altering this Rule in favour of pupil teachers?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Commissioners of National Education inform me that of the 155 pupil teachers examined in July, 1887, a large proportion were only in the first year of their course and the remainder in the second, the whole course lasting two years. They also state that Rule 151 does not exclude from appointment as teachers pupil teachers who have satisfactorily finished their course, because such pupil teachers then come under the category of classified teachers.