§ 56. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of future appointments to the inspectorate of schools in Scotland, he proposes to issue a Memorandum to the profession indicating the positions for which teachers will be eligible; and whether he can state how far actual teaching experience will weigh with the Scottish Education Department, in addition to other academic qualifications, in making such future appointments?
Mr. McKINNON WOODActual teaching experience is at present a consideration of great weight in making appointments to the inspectorate, and it is probable that even greater weight will be given to it in future, but I see no need to issue a Memorandum on this point.
§ 58. Mr. HOGGEasked to what class of inspectorship Mr. Angus Macdonald has recently been appointed; whether Mr. Macdonald is a trained teacher; how many years he has taught; whether there are among the ranks of His Majesty's inspectors any cases of teachers, either in elementary or secondary schools, who have risen to the grade of junior inspector; and, if so, after how many years' service?
Mr. McKINNON WOODMr. Angus Macdonald has been appointed a sub-inspector of the second class. He is a trained teacher who has taught for nine years. Among the ranks of the inspectorate other than sub-inspectors, all but six were previously teachers in elementary or secondary schools. The periods 1007 of service of these men range from about one year to twenty-three years, exclusive of service as pupil teachers and attendance at training college. Of the six already mentioned, one had experience in teaching as a lecturer at a training college, two at technical colleges and in continuation classes, and the other three had experience of teaching at a university.
§ 59. Mr. HOGGEasked whether during the last ten years junior inspectors have been appointed to the inspectorate over the head of sub-inspectors who have had practical training in teaching; and, if so, how many?
Mr. McKINNON WOODSeventeen junior inspectors have been appointed in the last ten years, but it is not correct to say that they have been appointed over the heads of sub-inspectors. Nor is the implication of the question that practical training in teaching is confined to the grade of sub-inspector in any way correct.
§ Mr. HOGGEIf these men have not been appointed over the head of the sub-inspectors and the sub-inspectors remain where they are, are they not under these men?