§ Sir J. YOXALLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the pupils now in attendance at the recently established national school at Kilkeel, county Down, were, at the date of its establishment, on the rolls of neighbouring national schools; whether he is aware that these schools have been visited by the promoters of the new school for the purpose of canvassing pupils; whether such a practice is in strict conformity with the rules and regulations of the Commissioners of National Education; whether he is aware that the retention of the assistant teachers in the four existing schools in Kilkeel and the right of the principal teachers to promotion and increment depend upon a certain figure of average attendance being maintained; and will he say what steps do the Commissioners propose to take in the circumstances in order to safeguard the vested interests of the existing schools and teachers?
1756W
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Commissioners of National Education have no statistics that would enable them to answer the first part of this question. In the most recent report which they have received in connection with the proposed school at Kilkeel, dated the 8th April, 1918, it is stated that out of forty-eight pupils present fifteen had left school finally. The Commissioners are not aware that the neighbouring national schools have been visited by promoters of the new school for the purpose of canvassing pupils. The retention of assistant teachers in their schools and the right of principal teachers to promotion and increments depend on the maintenance of a sufficient average attendance of pupils. The Commissioners have, however, no information before them at present to warrant the assumption that the position of the assistant teachers in the existing schools in Kilkeel, or the right of the principal teachers of those schools to promotion or increments would be jeopardised by the transfer of pupils to the proposed new school.