1925-1926-1927 - Department of Education and Skills

52The mmrmum time required of the schools for each Lower'Course would normally be half that required for the HigherCourse in that subject.The proposed scheme would have the advantage of being more-elastie than the one at present in force, since, although the same-subjects would be obligatory as at present, pupils who take sixor seven subjects would not be required, as at present, to coverthe full course in all the five obligatory subjects. While it wouldallow schools that prefer the present courses for grant-earningpupil and examinations to retain them, at the same time it wouldgive the schools that desire to do so freedom to substitute forthe present courses others more in keeping with their own aimsand needs. It would ensure, for instance, that a school thatdesires to give time to continental languages or classics wouldhave time to do so, and would get full credit for this work bothin respect of the earning of grants and the entrance of pupils for.the Intermediate Certificate Examination.(3) Syllabuses and Text-Books.-The choice of text-books andframing of syllabuses now left to the teachers is productive ofa larger amount of constructive educational thought than wasevident formerly. The interchange of views with the Department'sInspectors with regard to such matters and to matters oforganisation gives evidence of an educational co-operation of aharmonious character.(4) Examinations.-(a) The Entrance Examination: On thewhole the Entrance Examination has been well carried out by theschools and has served a useful purpose. There are naturallyvarying standards throughout the country, but these willgradually be aligned ,by the inspectors' assessments.The schools at present attach considerable importance to theEntrance and Certificate Examinations, but, in general, do notattach a sufficient degree of importance to the term examinationsfor the non-examination classes. Question papers and answersare seldom available for inspectors, and the papers sent to theDepartment in connection with the progress of scholarship pupilsare too often external examination papers and not papers-specially contrived to test the progress of the pupils during thepreceding term and to ensure revision of previous work.(b) The Certificate Examinations: The number of pupils whosat for the Department's Certificate Examinations was less in1926. but greater in 1927, than the number who sat in 1925. As'compared with 1925 there has been a falling-off in the number of"boys entering for the Leaving Certificate. This probably is due tothe fact that many of the pupils who complete the Secondary'Course with a view to entering a University find the MatriculationExamination easier than the Leaving Certificate.(5) Scholarships.-An adequate system of Scholarships is ofgreat importance in bringing Secondary Education within the