Madam, - I refer to your report of August 29th that the amount of time devoted to the teaching of Irish at primary level is to be reduced by 30 per cent to accommodate new subjects.
I agree that both science and social studies are important. However, the significant reduction in time devoted to Irish gives the impression that it is the least important subject on the curriculum, which can be eroded whenever time is needed.
Why were no other subjects slimmed down in this way? I wish the new primary curriculum well, but I fear that the decision to reduce the teaching hours will do nothing to enhance the status of the language in the eyes of students and teachers. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN WALSH, Lecturer, Applied Irish, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.