§ 66. Mr. MYERSasked the President of the Board of Education whether the Regulations for junior technical schools are now being revised; it so, whether he will undertake to permit generally the inclusion of a foreign language in the curriculum of such schools on account of the educational value and irrespective of any vocational value; and whether the Regulation that parents should undertake to place their sons in artisan employment as a condition of entry to a junior technical school will he relaxed in order that lads who later desire a wider choice of employment may be free to exercise such choice?
§ Mr. FISHERThe revision of the Regulations for junior technical schools is closely connected with the larger question of revising the whole body of Regulations for technical and further education, a matter that is continually engaging the attention of the Board. The special aim of these schools, as distinguished 1265 from secondary schools, is to prepare pupils by courses of two or three years' instruction for artisan and other industrial employment and domestic employment. I am not at present convinced that the time given in junior technical schools to English subjects or to practical subjects could with educational advantage be reduced for all pupils to the extent which would be essential for effective instruction in a foreign language. If there are in these schools individual pupils of exceptional ability who wish to learn a foreign language, I see no reason to think that their requirements could not be sufficiently met by special arrangements which would leave the ordinary curriculum of the school intact. The Regulation referred to in the third part of the question (Part H, No. 6 (g) requires a parent to certify at the time of the admission of the pupil to the school, that he is intending to enter into employment for which the school provides preparation. I will consider whether the present Regulation is more than is necessary to effect the purpose in view.
§ Mr. MYERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hedging round of these Regulations with so many qualifications is preventing desirable students from taking advantage of the educational facilities which are available; and, in framing any further Regulations on this question, will he take such steps as will disabuse the public mind Of the widespread belief that these Regulations are being deliberately made restrictive as far as they can be?
§ Mr. FISHERThe hon. Member has been entirely misinformed. These junior technical schools exist in order to give technical instruction to young people who are desirous of entering trades. It would be a great waste of money to give a course intended to lead up to the building trade to somebody who was not intending to enter it.