Sir, - The recent decision by the Minister for Science and Education to abolish the Irish requirement for second-level teachers is most welcome. It is a step that will bring education in Ireland into the 21st century. Teachers who were non-Irish nationals have effectively been discriminated against for over 70 years by the requirement to pass this oral and written exam in Irish.
Hopefully, with the Irish requirement gone, there will be more foreign second-level teachers in Ireland. This will lead to the "cross fertilisation" which Mr Gabriel Rosenstock values so highly (July 12th). Unfortunately, Mr Rosenstock's claim that "teachers of certain subjects who are ignorant of Irish must be seen to be intellectually disadvantaged" is indicative of a mind-set that is more suited to the 19th century, never mind the late 20th century.
Using Mr Rosenstock's logic, teachers of English should also have to pass an exam in Latin if they are not to be considered "intellectually disadvantaged" and inferior teachers of their subject. After all, a knowledge of Latin gives a wonderful insight into English language and literature. Would there have to be an oral exam in Latin, as well as a written exam?
As a teacher of Maths and French, who passed his Ceard Teastas Gaeilge, oral and written, at the first attempt, I have never had cause to use Irish in 20 years of teaching, whereas Latin has been of quite some use.
If common-sense improvements to the education system are continually blocked by traditionalists such as Mr Rosenstock, it does not augur well for education in Ireland.
"Quod Erat Demonstrandum." - Yours, etc.,
Bernard McDonnell, Assistant Principal, Plunket College, Swords Road, Whitehall,Dublin 9.