§ Mr. M'KEANasked the Chief Secretary if he will state, as to the conditions attaching to the entrance examinations of candidates for Irish training colleges, what are the maximum marks awarded in each subject at the Easter examinations; upon what principle are the marks obtained on 1433W optional subjects considered in reckoning the eligibility of such candidates for training; are the marks so obtained added to those scored on the obligatory subjects, and the resulting percentage calculated on the basis of the joint total of the obligatory and optional subjects; if so, whether a candidate who would otherwise have been eligible for training, might as the result of taking low marks on an optional subject be disqualified; and what are the percentages required this year for a pass in each of the three divisions, first, second, and third, at the Easter examination?
§ Mr. BIRRELL:The Commissioners of National Education do not consider that it would be in the interest of the public service to state what are the maximum marks in each subject. They decide the eligibility of the candidates for training on the answering in the compulsory subjects. They inform the heads of the training colleges of the marks obtained by candidates in the optional subjects, but they have no knowledge of the degree of importance which the heads of the colleges under local management attach to these marks in selecting candidates for admission. The percentages required this year for a pass at the Easter examinations are 65 per cent, first division, 55 per cent, second division, and 50 per cent, third division.