§ 62. Mr. PIRIEasked if the Secretary for Scotland will state, with reference to his desire to assist school boards who are prepared to give higher instruction in rural primary schools, if he proposes to indicate at an early date the exact nature of the assistance which he is prepared to give; and whether, in the case of selected pupils for the intermediate course, it will include the higher Grant under Article 142b of the Code, and also a due share in common with higher grade schools of the Grants under Section 17 (2) and (8) of the Act of 1908?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI think there is no occasion for further statements beyond those I have made already. I have no reason to suppose that the facts are not understood by those engaged in educational administration in Scotland, both on the secondary education committees and the school boards.
§ 63. Mr. PIRIEasked, with reference to the Department's approval of the practice which is growing up of giving selected pupils such instruction in secondary subjects as will fit them to enter the second, and, in some cases, the third year of the centre school course, if the Secretary for Scotland will take into favourable consideration the granting of facilities whereby such selected pupils, instead of being limited to one or, at most, two years, may receive the complete three years' intermediate course at their local primary school?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThere is no necessary limitation. As a matter of fact, there are nearly sixty schools in Scotland which have expressly applied for and received permission to present pupils for the intermediate certificate on the completion of the three years' curriculum at the original school, and it is open to any other primary school to do likewise. But it is generally recognised that where circumstances permit it is to the advantage 1292 of the pupil to take as much of his course as possible at the centre school.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not the case that while that may be so, the cost to the local school boards of these primary schools is so great that they cannot possibly do it?
Mr. McKINNON WOODIt is also the fact that a special Grant of £50 is given through the Secondary Education Committee for the purpose of providing teachers; so, the cost is met by that.