HC Deb 08 August 1913 vol 56 cc1930-1W
Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to any cases in which school managers have exacted contributions from the teachers in aid of the repair of the school fabrics, or in which the teachers have been held responsible for the local moiety of the heating and cleaning Grant; and, if so, whether such practices have the sanction of the Commissioners of National Education?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they are aware that in some cases the teachers have contributed to the upkeep of the schools, and in a memorandum issued in November, 1910, to managers of schools, the Commissioners stated that they cannot approve of any expenditure in connection with either the repair, maintenance, heating, lighting, or cleaning, of the schoolhouses devolving upon the teachers, and they requested that all national teachers be relieved from financial burdens in connection with the upkeep of their schools, and that steps be taken to have some form of local provision made for meeting such expenditure. In all cases where it appears that the teacher contributed to the cost of heating and cleaning the school the manager is asked before the heating and cleaning Grant is paid whether such payments made by the teacher have been reimbursed, or will be reimbursed, out of the Grant by the Commissioners.

Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSON

also asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any official information to show that it is the practice of some managers of national schools in Ireland to require teachers when appointed to undertake that they will not join the Irish National Teachers' Organisation or the Protestant Teachers' Union; if not, whether he will cause inquiries to be made; and, if it be found that the facts are as stated, will he move the Commissioners to intimate by circular or otherwise that such practice has not their sanction?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they are not aware that any such practice exists. It is open to any teacher to lay before them particulars of any case in which a condition of the kind referred to was imposed by a manager of a national school.