§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork County, Mid)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the rules of the National Board of Education ordain that assistant teachers of long and efficient service are entitled to special consideration on their appointment to principalships, and in last May an assistant of nine years' good service was appointed principal of Berrings National School, Roll No. 4,186, Circuit 20, Section 3, and is still receiving the same salary as formerly; and if so, will he state why the rules of the Education Board are not complied with in the case of this teacher.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The rules provide that the cases of assistants highly classed under the rules hitherto in force, but not receiving full class salary, may be specially considered on their promotion to principalships. The principal of Berrings Male National School was appointed on 1st May, 1903; he had been previously an assistant. He was not "highly classed" under the rules hitherto in force, ranking only in second class, and his case was not specially considered on his promotion to the principalship of Berrings National School. The Commissioners, however, made an Order in June, 1903, to the effect that assistants appointed to principalships after the 1st April, 1903, may have their cases considered after one year's service as principal upon a favourable report from inspector, and the teacher in question will be eligible to receive the benefit of this Order.