§ 18. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that recently several thousands of students have completed their training at the training colleges for teachers and have left; that the great majority of these trained teachers will be unable to find employment in present circumstances; and whether, in view of the public money expended upon their training, and of the necessity for encouraging entrants into the teaching profession, he can take steps to secure that advantage shall be taken of their training by their employment in schools where there is an insufficient staff of teachers and classes consisting of from 60 to 70 children?
Mr. WOODI am fully alive to the difficulties of the present situation, but I am not yet able to judge what proportion of the teachers leaving training colleges this year will be unable to obtain employment within a reasonable time. I have no doubt that local education authorities are anxious to give employment to young teachers, and when occasion arises will use their services for the reduction of excessively large classes.
§ Mr. JONESPending the employment of these people, could not some method be adopted to provide unemployment pay?
§ Colonel Sir C. YATEHas there been any reduction in the number of these training colleges?
Mr. WOODNo there has been no reduction in number, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be aware that some little time ago I issued a regulation on the matter.
§ Sir C. YATEIs the number likely to be reduced?
Mr. ALEXANDERIs it not a fact that these training college students have to sign an agreement to serve for two years after leaving college under a penalty if they do not do so? Therefore, is it not incumbent under the agreement for the Government to provide employment for them?
Mr. ALEXANDERThen will the right hon. Gentleman cancel the agreement that these teachers must serve for two years, or return some part of the cost of their training?
Mr. WOODThe hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. There is no compulsion on anybody to go through a training college, and if they do go into a training college under present conditions, neither I nor anyone else can guarantee them immediate employment
§ Mr. JONESThese people give an undertaking when they emerge from college they will serve two years; should not that be taken into consideration?