§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education have made any regulations under which, teachers in schools and King's scholars in training colleges should be trained in the teaching of kindergarten; and, if so, what are these regulations.
§ MR. BOLANDI beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state at what date did the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland first employ an organiser of kindergarten for the schools; in how many schools has this organiser and her assistants been engaged up to the present time; and in how many years do the Commissioners expect that the teaching of this important subject will be properly organised in all their schools.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.No special regulations have been made, but the Commissioners have made provision for kindergarten instruction in suitable schools; and the organisation of such schools, as well as the instruction of teachers in the subject, is being effected by a staff of organising teachers. Instruction in kindergarten has also been given to teachers in the training colleges since 1883. The organiser of kindergarten was appointed in June, 1903, since when seventy-five schools have been fully organised by her and her assistants. The Commissioners have formed no estimate of the length of time necessary to organise all infant schools. The subject, however, is now taught in 2,138 schools.