§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the President of the Board of Education whether his officers have pressed the Education Committee of the London County Council to reduce the floor space in the science room of the Malmesbury Road Central School from 30 square feet to 15 square feet per pupil, and to reduce the height of the class rooms from 15 feet to 13 feet; and whether it is the policy of the Board to insist on less generous provision of air space in central schools than in secondary schools containing children of similar age
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)The dimensions of the room in question appear to have been due not to educational considerations, but to structural reasons arising from the fact that it happened to be over the large central hall. In the discussion of the plans it was agreed that thoroughly efficient instruction of the type and age-range contemplated by the authority could be given with considerably less expenditure of space. Ultimately, however, it was decided, for other reasons, not to alter the plans, and they were approved in their original form. In reply to the second paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the published regulations of the Board, from which he will see that the minimum requirements for height are practically the same for both categories of schools. The question of floor space is governed by a variety of considerations, which are well understood, but cannot properly be explained within the limits of a reply to a question in the House.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked whether, in the course of correspondence with the Education Committee of the London County Council, the President of the Board of Education's officers have expressed the view that it is not desirable to teach science in central schools up to anything like the standard given in secondary schools; and whether it is the policy of the Board to impose any limit on the standard of attainment in the subjects of instruction contained in the curriculum of schools other than secondary?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe only limit which it is necessary to set, and which the Board would require in the case of any school of the kind referred to, is such limit as may be rendered necessary in the 778 interests of the pupils by the capacity of the pupils, having regard to their age-range and their general attainments, assuming, of course, that a teaching staff is provided thoroughly equipped (and with the requisite apparatus) for teaching whatever be the curriculum adopted. Any suggestions made by the Board in respect of the curricula of central schools in London have been made solely upon this basis, and not from the point of view erroneously suggested in the question.