POPULAR NATIONAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 43, 13 February 1885, Page 5

POPULAR NATIONAL EDUCATION.

The Education Committee of the Young Ireland Society has issued a circular appealing to the leaders of local public opinion to do all in their power to promote the study of national literature. From this circular we (Nation) take the following passages :— The committee have instructed me to direct your attention to the necessity that exists of making provision for the instruction in Irish history and literature of Irish youth of both sexes, and to point out some of the meaus that might be employed for the purpose. It is absolutely essential that the youth of Ireland should be thoroughly educated in this respect. Upon the extent of their national education will depend the measure of their capability for service to the interests of the country in future years. Slavery can exist only with national ignorance — an edncated people never can be slaves. That our rulers realised this is manifest ; until a few years since education was banned ; and the few fortunate enough to secure the rudiments of instruction received them under the hedge or in the ditch. In subsequent years, appearing to yield to the exigencies of the time, a system called national (which even as- a means of ordinary primary education is worthless) was introduced, ostensibly for tbe purpose of educating the masses, in reality possessing no really educational power, and principally formed to crush from the people every sentiment of nationality ; administered by men opposed to the people in sympathy, and so scrupulously carried oat that each of the innumerable editions of their school books is carefully pruned of anything that the most bigotted prejudice could construe to be national. No Irish history finds a placs in their programme ;, no work on the subject is included in the list of their books— in vain would you search for a single national ballad. The 1 committee applied to the commissioners for this system, requesting them to place Irish history upon their programme for instruction in National schools, and to provide for payment of result fees to the teachers therefore, to which a reply was received declining to accede to their request. A question -was subsequently put by Mr. Sexton in the English House of Commons to the Chief Secretary with respect to this refusal of the commissioners, to which a reply was received stating the commissioners would not introduce these subjects for instruction to the pupils in their schools. Tbe committee were not disappointed in this ; but while it is not their intention to let the matter rest here, they believe no Irish history of any real value will be taught under the National School system. It is against tne interests of England and of English rule that this education sboul i be given. Education of this kind must be carried out by the people themselves.