§ MR. J. H. YOXALL (Nottingham, W.)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education (1) if he has received information that at Gawber, near Barnsley, a certificated teacher, described a year ago by the Vicar as a very worthy man, a scrupulous, steady, conscientious, and persevering teacher, who has been successful in satisfying the requirements of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, and, according to the Diocesan Inspector, has raised the school to an excellent standard of efficiency, religious instruction having been given in a thoroughly satisfactory manner, who has helped in the Sunday school, played the church harmonium and trained the choir, has nevertheless been 1588 dismissed upon the ground, as alleged by the Vicar, that he does not possess the First Class Drawing Certificate, although he does possess the Special Drawing Certificate, and for the past three years has obtained the "Excellent" report and grant for teaching drawing; (2) whether the Vice President is aware that the villagers, in public meeting assembled, have unanimously protested against the dismissal; and, (3) whether anything can be done to give effect to the wish of the villagers that the teacher should be retained?
§ SIR J. GORSTThe teacher referred to has been for five years at Gawber school, and has obtained satisfactory reports from H.M.'s Inspector. He has the Special Drawing Certificate, and for the past three years the school has obtained the "Excellent" grant for drawing. Otherwise, the Committee of Council have no information as to the statements in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Question; but they would be unable in any case to interfere with the discretion of the managers in regard to the dismissal of a teacher. I have just heard from the managers that the teacher in question has accepted a post elsewhere.