HC Deb 21 November 1884 vol 294 cc129-30
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with regard to a statement by Mr. W. H. Newell, Secretary to the Board of Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, in a letter of the 25th September last, that the Commissioners "have not deemed it advisable" to include the teaching of Irish history in the programme of instruction for pupils of Irish National Schools, What is the nature of the objection entertained by the Board of Commissioners of National Education to have the national history taught to Irish children educated in their schools; whether the Commissioners are able to show that in any other Country the teaching of the national history is shut out from the schools maintained by the State; and, if the objection, whatever it may be, extends as far back as the earliest records of the history of Ireland, or if it is limited to any specific period; and, in the latter case, whether the Commissioners will define the period by stating when it began and ended, whether before or after the year 1800, or the year 1172?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

This Question opens up an old standing subject of concern and difficulty which the Commissioners of National Education have had to encounter. Having to deal with schools designed for the united education of children of different religious denominations, they have, since the institution of the system of national education, felt constrained to regard it as impracticable to include the teaching of history in the curriculum of the schools.

MR. SEXTON

said, he would further ask if the right hon. Gentleman would inquire, from the Commissioners of National Education, whether there was any period of Irish history since the landing of Henry II. that might be taught; or, whether they thought there was any period previous to that event regarding which the children might be instructed?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am afraid they will abide by their rule to exclude all history whatsoever.

MR. O'KELLY

Will they teach English history?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

No, Sir.