§ MR. GRAYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have issued a circular prohibiting in future
Meetings of National teachers, or the attendance of National teachers at meetings, unless for purely educational purposes,and declaring that the Commissioners have resolved further that—At any and every such meeting each teacher present shall be responsible for all things said or done by any of those present, unless he at once publicly disavows anything which may be said or done of an objectionable character, i.e. anything bordering upon political controversy or criticism of the administration of the Board, or the conduct of its officers, or the action or policy of the Government,and that—This public disavowal must be followed by an open withdrawal of the teacher from the meeting:whether it is intended to interfere with the customary congress and meetings of National teachers, or with the organization of the teachers' association now existing for many years under successive administrations, and which have been instrumental in obtaining some amelioration of the admitted grievances of the Irish National teachers; whether open public agitation for the improvement of their pay and position by the teachers will now be prohibited or permitted as heretofore; and, what proof will be required that "things of an objectionable character were said or done" at a meeting at which a teacher may have been present before he will be held to come within the penal terms of the circular?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is quite true, Sir, that the National Education Commissioners have issued a Circular in which they state that they have resolved—
Not to sanction in future meetings of National teachers, or the attendance of National teachers at meetings, unless for purely educational purposes"—but then they go on to explain what they mean— 1492For freely, but temperately, discussing their own position, rights, privileges, and claims; the provisions which affect the school programme of instruction, the organization of schools, the methods of teaching, the selection of subjects of instruction suitable to the wants and tastes of their pupils; the employment and training of monitors; literary, moral, or scientific subjects; in short, all branches of the educational question which can be considered without political discussion.If the hon. Member had dwelt upon this passage, in which the Commissioners extend their sanction to meetings of teachers "for freely, but temperately, discussing their own position, rights, privileges, and claims," he would have seen that the holding of a congress, or the establishment of a teachers' association, or any proper effort to improve their pay, would not be inconsistent with either the spirit or letter of the Circular. As to the proof that will be required that "things of an objectionable character were said or done" at a meeting, the Commissioners must be the judges of it, and must, of course, decide every case on its merits.
§ MR. GRAYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Circular does not go on to prohibit any discussion or criticism of the administration of the Board and the conduct of its officers? I would direct his attention more particularly to these words, "or the action or policy of the Government." Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how they may discuss "their whole position and claims," while they must avoid discussing the action of the Government, which may refuse to recognize their claims?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is not for me to speak for the Commissioners of National Education, or to explain their policy. We have no doubt that they can be perfectly trusted to distinguish between what is legitimate educational controversy and what is political action.