§ 71. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education the number of additional teachers who will be required to supply, after twelve months, the deficiencies of teachers in elementary and secondary schools, and the additional number required if the Education Bill passes into law and becomes fully operative after twelve months; whether he has sanctioned the release of a large number of teachers from schools for military service; and how he proposes to supply the existing and prospective demand for trained teachers?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)It is not possible to deal with the first point within the limits of a question and answer. It is estimated that over 20,000 teachers have been released from service in elementary schools and about 2,500 from Grant-aided secondary schools. The problem of increasing the supply of teachers is engaging my constant and anxious attention.
§ Mr. KINGHas the right hon. Gentleman not recently within the last few days released a large number more of teachers, and how does he square that with his policy under the Education Bill?
§ Mr. FISHERI think the two lines of policy are compatible. It is obviously necessary in the military urgency that some additional teachers should be released. That, of course, is regrettable, but at the same time I am hoping to improve the conditions of the teaching profession and make it sufficiently attractive to cause more candidates to come forward.