HC Deb 15 March 1886 vol 303 c814
MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)

asked the Secretary for Scotland, If, under the new regulation, it will be impossible for Gaelic speaking children to earn the extra shilling where no pupil teacher is employed to teach that language, and when it is taught by the principal teacher; and, if making Gaelic a special subject only means that it is to be taught in the same way as French or Latin, or whether Gaelic will be employed as a medium for teaching English?

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. TREVELYAN) (, &c.) Hawick

As the object is to encourage the employment of Gaelic-speaking pupil teachers, the extra 1s. will be paid, as stated in the Article, only where expense is incurred by employing such a pupil teacher. As a specific subject, Gaelic stands on the same footing as the other specific subjects; but in regard to the class subjects, intelligence may be tested by asking explanations in Gaelic; and a judicious use of Gaelic as a medium for teaching English will be one of the elements taken into account in assessing the grant for the infants and the earlier Standards.