NEWSPAPER COMMENTS ON THE INTERMEDIATE BILL

The Northern Whig, 19 July 1878

The Intermediate Bill has this grave defect - it is a middle class bill - it does not give a chance to the top boys of the National Schools. It begins with the middle class and ends there. It is not popular nor national - it is sectional.

Questions

  1. Do you agree that the Intermediate Bill was a middle class Bill? Give reasons for your answer.
  2. What does the author mean when he claims that the Bill does not give a chance to the top boys of the National Schools?
  3. Why was there no mention made of the claims of girls in regard to Intermediate Education in this editorial?
  4. What does this tell us about the position of Irishwomen in 1878?
  5. Why do you think did the author claim that this Bill was anti-national?

The Northern Whig, 27 July 1878.

No system of education can be considered a success in Ireland unless it can be adapted to the wants of the great majority of the people, no matter what may be their religious convictions

Question

1. Write a three minute speech agreeing or disagreeing with the above theme.

The Irish Times, 21 June 1878

[Editorial on woman's place in society.]

'Woman is in her natural, her most becoming and best place when at home.'

Activity

Class to prepare three minute speeches on the above topic: one half agreeing, the other disagreeing.

The Irish Times, 27 June 1878

The chief defect of the Bill ... was its failure to make any provision for new reasonably cheap schools for the sons of struggling professional or business men. This ... was all the more necessary in view of the fact that the Bill was bound to have important consequences as regards the future status of our population and the position which they are destined to hold hereafter in the social scale.

Questions

  1. What does this editorial see as the major weakness of the Intermediate Bill?
  2. Comment on the view that the Bill held very important implications for the future of Irish society?
  3. Compare this editorial with an earlier one (June 21st) on the place of women in society.
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