| Title: | Samuel Boyd, Co Tyrone, to "Dear Sir" |
|---|---|
| ID | 272 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Boyd, Samuel/8 |
| Year | 1916 |
| Sender | Boyd, Samuel |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | school principal |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Castledamph, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, John J |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | unknown |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 305040 |
| Date | 25/8/1916 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 13:05:03 |
| Word Count | 900 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | 25-08-1916 Dear Sir I don t expect that many teachers will oblige by giving the information you have asked for in this weeks "Constitution" I will try, as far as my limited capacity will allow, to throw a little light on the matters touched on in your letter. First let me say that I have been secretary of Tyrone Central Teachers Association for four years and sec [secretary?]Of Tyrone County (embracing seven local Assocns [Associations?])for one year and that I know intimately over two hundred teachers in the County. Regarding the teaching of citizenship - the subject is on our programme as an alternative to history in the senior groups but I have never met a teacher who attempted the teaching of the subject. The Nationalist teachers are not as a body loyal. The Protestant teachers are. Many Nationalist teachers "spout" loyalty,as some did on the occasion your letter refers to, but lip loyalty is not the kind Samuel Butler rhymes about in "Hudebras". Mr Maguire is a curious specimen but has the courage of his convictions which can not be said of many of his [confrens?]. His action when the late king Edward died prevented a resolution of sympathy being passed at a special meeting of Tyrone Central Teachers Association There were three or four protestant teachers present - all others were R.C. The Managerial question is the one black spot on the escutcheon of Irish education. To attempt to have the clerical managers removed would be the knell of the Irish Teachers Organization. Many years ago (so I think) before I began teaching no R.C. teacher was allowed to join that body to become a member meant instant dismissal. When complaints had been made to the Commissioners of Education that many teachers were dismissed for trivial offences, that body proposed that the agreement between the manager & the teacher should contain what may be called a referee clause. The Hierarchy met, and agreed that, in future all dismissals were to be countersigned by the bishops of the diocese in which the manager lived - all other agreements were forbidden by them. As a result the protestant teachers who refused to accept a clerical court of appeal were obliged to agitate outside of the teachers organization. The protestant teachers union was then formed, and since then this body has now what is practically security of tenure for all teachers during good conduct and efficient service. Mr Ramsay is now president of this body and it is from his contact with the members of its committee rather than from any other source - that he holds the views he has regarding education in general. I think you drop rather hard on the efficiency of the Irish teacher. It is an admitted fact that the British Isles do not produce better teachers than the Irish - but how on earth can they be expected to produce good results. Where the percentage of attendance to no [number?] on rolls is in the neighbourhood of 65% and this with reading writing arith. [arithmetic?] gram. [grammar?] Geog. [geography?] hist. [history?] draw. [drawing?] music draw. [drawing?] (freehand inst & obj) drill. obj lessons or science, cookery. Kindergarten & needlework all compulsory. We have asked the commissioners again & again to to (sic) modify their programme so as to enable us to specialize in the subjects which are the more important. but in this age of specialists the Commissioners seem determined on making the mind of the Irish child a kind of omnibus rebus. I have taught across the channel and I know that as good work is done here in much worse circumstances as is done over there. In Ontario things may be different but I have letters from teachers who have gone west which go to prove that the Irishman as a teacher is as good as the native product. With regard to the salaries of Irish teachers I think you are scarcely just - The Irish teacher does the same work as his English and Scottish brethren but his salary is one third less. Why. It is not the fault of the Irish teacher if successive governments of this empire of ours are too weak kneed to tackle the problem of Irish education, We blame these governments for every blunder and every inefficient part in our whole educational system. Male farmers though. I must admit that the Irish people as a whole have not shown any desire to have control of their own education the priests & bishops sternly repress any attempts in that direction. Quebec is a good example of what they can do. Just another point, not connected with teaching. An Irish farmer who has not a gross income of £170 a year is a pretty poor specimen of a farmer. I know men around here who during the past two years, have cleared over £120 annually in cash besides keeping their families. purchasing new implements etc. I know no farmers round here who can not lay money past every year- I know no teachers who can. I trust you will be able to read this. I have written hurriedly and have not had time to revise If you want information on any point mentioned I shall be pleased to give any information I can on the subject. Trusting I have not wearied you I am Yours very sincerly Samuel Boyd Principal to J Smith Esq Transcribed by Jim Buchanan |
