WHAT THE 1965 GUIDE SAYS ABOUT..
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
‘OF ALL the parts of a school curriculum, Religious Instruction is by far the most important, as its subject matter, God’s honour and service, includes the proper use of all man’s faculties, and affords the most powerful inducements to their proper use.
‘Religious Instruction is, therefore, a fundamental part of the school course, and a religious spirit should inform and vivify the whole work of the school. The teacher should constantly inculcate the practice of charity, justice, truth, pity, patience, temperance, obedience to lawful authority, and all the other moral virtues.’
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
‘IN A mixed school, a school in which boys and girls are enrolled, where there is an average daily enrolment of 80 pupils or more, the principal teacher should be a master.
‘In a mixed school where the average daily enrolment is less than 36, the principal teacher shall, as a rule, be a mistress.
‘A master is not recognised in any capacity in a girls’ school.
‘A mistress is not recognised as principal of a boys’ school unless the school is an infants’ school.’
THE CURRICULUM
‘THE subjects of the curriculum of national schools: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Needlework (Girls),
Music, Rural Science or Nature Study, Drawing, Physical Training, Cookery (Girls), Laundry (Girls) or Domestic Economy (Girls), Manual Instruction (Boys).
‘The following are Obligatory: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography,
Needlework (Girls), Music.
‘The following are Optional: Drawing, Physical Training, Rural Science or Nature Study, Cookery (Girls), Laundry (Girls) or Domestic Economy (Girls), Manual Instruction (Boys).’
WOMEN TEACHERS HAVING CHILDREN
‘A MARRIED woman teacher is required to absent herself from her school for two calendar months continuously during the period preceding and succeeding childbirth, and to provide a qualified substitute at her own expense, for such portion of the two months as is not included in the ordinary vacation of the school.’
PHILOSOPHY AND PUNISHMENT
‘TEACHERS should have a regard for the improvement and general welfare of their pupils and treat them with kindness combined with firmness.
‘Ridicule, sarcasm, or remarks likely to undermine a pupil’s self-confidence should be avoided.
‘Corporal punishment should be administered only in cases of serious misbehaviour and should not be administered for mere failure at lessons.
‘Corporal punishment should be administered only by the principal teacher or other member of the school staff authorised by the manager for the purpose.’