ED4010 History of Education

The Development of the Irish National School System (1831-2000)

The developments and enhancements of the Irish
National School System (INSS) began in the early 1830’s when it was established, and continue to commence today, into the 21st century.

Walsh (2016), gives us a vivid insight into five main developmental eras including;
1. it’s establishment (1831-72),
2. the era of Payment by results (1872-1900),
3. a revised programme of instruction (1900-22),
4. the curricula development following independence (1922-71), and
5. the development of the Primary School Curriculum (1972-99).’ (Walsh, 2016, p.7-8).

According to Walsh (2016), the rationale behind
the establishment of the INSS solely falls upon political factors.
The objective of the system was to socialize and reinforce Ireland's ties to the Empire. However, other factors have influenced changes since.

First Attempts...

>The first attempt of forming a system, funded by a large government grant in 1811 was ‘The Kildare Place Society’ (KPS).

>Influenced by the Quakers, and serving non-denominational, non-proselytizing education, it’s aim was ensuring groups of avowed Christians had the same educational benefits, without compromising the various religions, and so, they didn’t expand on readings of bible passages or religious instruction.

>In 1818, Catholic layman; Daniel O’ Connell, and Catholic bishops argued against reading the Bible aloud in class without note or criticism (Fleming & Harford, 2015). After his proposal to change this was denied, he argued for a multi-denominational program, receiving religious
education separate from school. O'Connell and Richard Lalor Shiel established the Catholic Association in 1823 to advocate for Catholic emancipation and
educational reform (Fleming & Harford, 2015).

>When Catholic emancipation was ultimately approved in 1829, O'Connell was able to run for parliament. In 1830, Edward Stanley (Whig government) was appointed ‘Chief
secretary with a duty of introducing education proposals in Ireland in 1831.

>The ‘Stanley Letter’ formed the legal basis for the INSS, proposing religious instruction outside of hours, in a multi-denominational system (Fleming & Harford, 2015), which commenced from 1831.

The Establishment (1831-72)

During the Establishment period, graded readers, levelled 1-6 were introduced.
There was a great decline of the Irish language from the 1830’s as parents wanted their children to learn English and be considered of ‘high social status’ and ‘economic success’.

The Board of Commissions wanted all Catholic denominations of teachers educated together but wished for genders to be educated separately.
Catholic Hierarchy then banned Catholic student teachers from attending these colleges.

Other changes involved; moving from a ‘Monitorol system’; which involved the main teacher of a class overseeing the work of a monitor, who was responsible for a draft of pupils within the class in the early 19th century to a ‘Simultaneous method', in 1840 whereby the teacher instructed the entire class, and monitors acted as assistants (Walsh, 2016).

The Era of Payment by Results (1872-1900)

The era of Payment by results (1872-1900) entailed
Irish National teachers receiving a basic, although insufficient income, which was augmented by payments given on a pupil-result basis. It originated as a
result of the ‘Powis Commission’ of enquiry in 1870, and it’s findings based on limited educational progress for many pupils in relation to reading book levels and general educational proficiency (Walsh, 2016).
This encouraged the revision of curriculum, instruction and range of subjects being taught.

Although the scheme failed to consider ‘differentiation’, and encouraged rote learning, possibly creating a pressurising learning environment, it increased attendance levels, literacy levels, and pupils entering the senior cycle.

A Revised Programme of Instruction (1900-22) &

Curricula Development following Independence (1922-71)

The 1900’s brought a revised programme of instruction as the UK government pushed for reform regarding; funding, administration, and curriculum.
The new curriculum was more child-centered, using the local environment more frequently.
New subjects were introduced as obligatory, focusing
on preparing children for the future, e.g.; manual instruction, drawing and cooking (Walsh, 2016).

Irish MP’s and the Catholic Church resisted government’s plans to restructure the INSS in 1904 and 1907. Therefore, there remained unsettling tension until 1922.

Following independence in 1922, curriculum developments took place, with the Irish Free state taking advice from INTO to reform the curriculum, preserve
and promote the Irish language and culture, with Gaeilge as a priority subject.

The Development of the Primary School Curriculum (1972-99)

From the 1970’s until 1999 further development of the Primary School Curriculum took place.
The New curriculum, published in 1971 was more child-centered, reflecting on Rousseau’s writings, and aimed “To enable the child to live a full life as a child” and to prepare them to reach further education so that they can live a full and meaningful life as an adult in society (Walsh, 2016, p.25).

In line with the Stanley letter (1831), other curriculum
features included; a wider subject range, an adaptable curriculum enabling more freedom for the teacher and students, and enabled greater time management, use
of the locality, drawing on a variety of meaningful contexts and interests.

Approaches included small group activities, stations, individual teaching and
field trips.
Teachers often planned collaboratively and for team teaching.

This curriculum operated until 1999 when the new Primary School Curriculum (1999) was created and continues to develop today.

The Weakenesses of the Irish National School System

·Some weaknesses in the past developments of the INSS involved the decline of the Irish language at the beginning due to the UK rule.

·There were little considerations for differentiation and additional needs in early developments of the INSS

·I felt that the Era of Payment by results disregarded the child’s holistic development, or any learning difficulties as the teacher’s success was based solely on pupils attaining high results, which I felt was very unfair.

The Strengths of the Irish National School System

·I felt that a positive aspect was a move away from instilling colonial principles in Irish students and exerting control over what was taught in schools to strengthening educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy for individual children.

·Interests and meaningful contexts are now used to encourage curiosity to learn.

·Irish language and culture in schools has enrichened

·The value of childhood is emphasised and learning is more child-centred, with more freedom in teaching and learning

·The curriculum now offers a variety of curricular areas to enhance all aspects of intellectual and skill development.