§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked the Chief Secretary whether the rules of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland require teachers to give lessons in civic duties to the children; and whether the Commissioners can explain how they expect this duty to be satisfactorily performed when the same rules preclude the teachers from fully knowing or taking part in the performance of such civic duties themselves?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that the Rules of the Commissioners of National Education do not require teachers to give lessons in civic duties to school children, but in the programme for National schools and in the notes for teachers it is suggested that, as an alternative to the study of a special period of Irish or British history, a course of lessons on citizenship or civic instruction may be taken up in the highest standard of large schools. Such lessons may deal with the broad outlines of the British Constitution, and include a simple explanation of the more important institutions of government, both local and Imperial. The Commissioners are not aware that there is anything in their Rules to prevent teachers giving such instruction in a satisfactory manner.