HC Deb 26 June 1906 vol 159 cc792-3
MR. BOLAND

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he state whether any, and, if so, what steps have been taken to secure that the inspection of bilingual schools shall be competently conducted; whether ho is aware that the teachers of a bilingual school at Partry, Ballinrobe, have been condemned on the report of an inspector who is not qualified to inspect a bilingual school; and whether it is proposed to act on this report.

MR. BRYCE

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that schools in which the bilingual programme has been sanctioned are inspected by inspectors who have a competent knowledge of Irish, and the annual inspections are in all cases conducted by these officers. Incidental visits to such schools are also paid by the inspector of the district, and in the case referred to the district inspector has reported serious defects in the teaching. As a result, the Commissioners have informed the manager that unless a marked improvement in the proficiency of the pupils should take place, the retention of the bilingual programme in the school will be re-considered. The action which the Commissioners may take in the matter will depend upon the character of the next Report to be furnished by one of the inspectors specially in charge of the bilingual schools.

MR. BOLAND

Did not the inspector state in this case that too much attention was given to Irish; what can be his definition of a bilingual school?

MR. BRYCE

I am not aware of that statement. There is nothing so dangerous as to give definitions.