§ MR. HAZLETON: (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the average marks obtained on the special papers set in algebra at the Irish intermediate examinations in June, 1907; whether a number of honourmen, prizemen, exhibitioners, and at least one medallist taking algebra as a main subject, failed to score a single mark on the special algebra paper; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Intermediate Act, intended to encourage the study of mathematics in intermediate schools, he proposes to take any, and, if any, what action in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am informed by the Intermediate Education Board that the special test paper in algebra referred to in the Question was set for mathematical exhibitions. The average marks obtained were: In the junior grade, ninety-two; middle grade, eighty-five; and senior grade, 134; the maximum being 400. The average obtained by the 1158 successful students were 259, 239, and 218 in the respective grades. All the mathematical exhibitioners obtained marks on the special paper in algebra, with the exception of one student who did not take the paper but took the two other mathematical subjects of the course. The Board point out that the Intermediate Education Act was not intended to encourage the study of mathematics otherwise than as one of six subjects enumerated in the Schedule to the Act. Moreover the special papers in algebra are not intended for the average student, but only for those who are making a special study of mathematics. The matter is not one for the Government. It rests with the Board to fix the standard of the papers set in the various subjects.