§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether an average attendance of 70 children is required to justify the employment of an assistant teacher in the National Schools in Ireland, whereas the average required in Primary Schools in England is only 60; whether the Catholic Hierarchy and the General Assembly of Ulster have made representations as to the inequality and the necessity of maintaining the lower average of 50 formerly allowed on account of the greater difficulties experienced in Ireland in securing the attendance of children; and, whether the Government propose to remove the grievance?
§ MR. TREVELYANI went fully into this matter last year in consequence of a Question put to me by the hon. Member for Mallow (Mr. O'Brien), and I satisfied myself that the Irish schools are not in an unfavourable position as compared with the English schools, but that the comparison is entirely the other way. This I found to be also the view taken by the Heads of both the English and Irish Education Departments. When I suggested the notion of assimilation to Sir Patrick Keenan, he was quite dumbfounded at the effect that would be produced to the disadvantage of Irish education. In England, for a school attendance of 60 children one certificated teacher and a pupil teacher are paid by the manager, who, of course, receives a certain assistance from the Treasury, while in Ireland a certificated teacher and two monitors are allowed and paid by the Commissioners. A large school, however, is the best illustration of the difference between the 884 Irish and the English system. In England, for a school of 140 children two certificated teachers and two pupil teachers are specified; while in Ireland four certificated teachers and three monitors are allowed and paid by the Board. Under these circumstances, the hon. Member, I am sure, will not be anxious to assimilate the two systems. I am aware that there is an impression in some quarters that the regulations are more favourable in English than in Irish schools; but this arises from an imperfect acquaintance with the facts.