THE COMMISSIONERS OF EDUCATION IN IRELAND<lb/>

Health, etc. -In the early Spring two of the schools suffered from an epidemic of influenza, <lb/> and in one case its ravages were so serious that two trained nurses had to be requisitioned, and <lb/> eventually the school had to be closed down for a period of three weeks. Otherwise the schools<lb/> generally present a clean bill of health. Except where interfered with by the influenza the attend-<lb/> ance was creditably regular. In nine of the eleven schools instruction is given in drill. Discipline<lb/> is, for the cost part, well maintained.

Free Places. — All the schools provided free education for at least two pupils, although is one <lb/> case it does not appear that the fact was advertised as required by Section 59 of the Scheme. In <lb/> five school there was no competition, the number of applicants being either less, or only equal <lb/> to, the number of places offered. The proportion of candidates to places was largest in the cases <lb/> of St. Patrick's, Cavan, and St. Macarten's, Monaghan, and in the latter, the most successful <lb/> candidate scored 90 per cent.

Local Boards. — The various Boards have discharged efficiently their duties the Scheme,<lb/> and their Minutes and Accounts are carefully kept. The improvement in the attendance of lay <lb/> member, noted last year, still continues.

Schedule I. Qualified Schools. — I am satisfied that eleven schools mentioned on the first<lb/> page of this report as having been inspected have fulfilled all the necessary condition, and I beg <lb/> to report the compliance of each of these schools with the requirements of the Scheme in respect of <lb/> the school year ended August 1st, 1915.

The matters which call for attention, and to which I have alluded above, will be made the <lb/> subject of further reference in my detailed Report to His Excellence the Lord Lieutenant.

Stanislaus Murphy<lb/> Inspector.<lb/>

October 5th, 1915.<pb/>

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