§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attendance in the Shelbourne National School, Kenmare, the class of the principal teacher, and the condition of the school, warrant the appointment of two monitors; whether he is aware that Julia O'Sullivan, sister to the principal teacher, recently passed successfully the required examination for monitress, but was rejected merely because, owing to the illness of the local Registrar, a certificate of her age was not forwarded within six days; and what has been the average daily attendance for past year and for past quarter in said school, and what is its present teaching staff?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Commissioners of National Education report that the appointment of two monitors is not warranted. The condition of the school has not been satisfactory. Within a period of little over three years the teacher had to be twice reprimanded, once cautioned, and once admonished. The previous monitor, moreover, failed badly in his fourth year's examination. The application was refused for the foregoing reason, and because no recommendation was received from the Inspector, who stated he was doubtful as to the advisability of the appointment, and he thought it would be well to postpone the question until next year to afford time for a further observation of the working of the school. The last recorded annual average—that for the year 1889—was 71.6; the average for last quarter was 86. The staff of the school at present consists of a principal and an assistant teacher.