HC Deb 28 March 1905 vol 143 cc1383-4
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Commissioners of National Education has been drawn to the fact that the new rule with reference to the instruction of children under eight years of age will deprive many assistant male teachers of their positions, and by reducing the average attendance will render insecure the position of others; that it will also result in many cases in reducing the grade of principal teachers of small schools and in debarring them from future increments; and whether, in view of the objections to the rule on the part of the managers, the teachers, and the general public, and of the inconvenience which it will cause, he will have the rule suspended until fuller inquiries will have been made.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now say, in the event of proposed new Rule 127 (b) being put into force by the Commission of National Education, how many assistant national teachers will be thrown out of employment; what amount will be saved to the Treasury by the depression in grade which a number of principal teachers must undergo; and what has been the practice heretofore adopted by the Commission in regard to vested rights of teachers when a new rule affecting average school attendance has been put into force.

MR. WALTER LONG

The Commissioners are unable to anticipate the effect of this rule. I have already stated that the Commissioners will, on application of the manager, specially consider any case in which the enforcement of the rule would lead to the loss of an assistant teacher. The Commissioners, when modifying their rules, always endeavour to safeguard what may be regarded as the vested rights of teacher. It is not intended to put the new rule into operation for some time.

MR. FLYNN

What is the saving to the Treasury, and what is the effect of the rule on the interests of the teachers?

MR. WALTER LONG

I cannot say what the saving to the Treasury is, but the Commissioners have safeguarded the interests of the teachers.