HC Deb 09 September 1909 vol 10 cc1468-9
Mr. ARTHUR FELL

asked the President of the Board of Education on what grounds the Board of Education has refused the Great Yarmouth Education Committee the right to teach in the Nelson provided school two extra subjects as provided by the Code, Article 5 (a)

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)

Generally speaking, the Board are of opinion that it is more important that local education authorities should at the present time devote their attention to raising the general standard of the work done in their public-elementary schools than that they should institute experiments by way of a more advanced curriculum in exceptional schools. Such subjects as languages, shorthand, and science are accordingly not, as a rule, approved in a public elementary school when there is any danger that the ordinary school hours will not suffice for an adequate amount of time to be given to them, or that the ordinary school subjects-will be neglected.

Mr. FELL

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the fact that the subjects which were being taught in the school were on account of the special requirements of the trade of the town?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes; we have taken that into account. I have stated the general view of the Board in the answer I have already given.

Mr. FELL

I did not want their general view, but their view in regard to special cases.

Sir PHILIP MAGNUS

Is it not a common thing to have these subjects taught in elementary schools?