§ 25. Mr. COVEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is 1497 aware that Article 10 (c) or the Code or Regulations for Private Elementary Schools allows of a school staff including not more than one certificated teacher, inclusive of the head teacher, for every complete group of 70 children in average attendance, and that the figure taken for this purpose has stood at 70 since the year 1914; and whether he will consider whether that figure should be reduced, especially in view of the low proportion of certificated teachers employed in some areas and of the difficulty which many certificated teachers are now finding in obtaining employment?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Trevelyan)The facts are as stated, and I am considering the advisability of reducing the figure 70 in this Article to 60 as soon as the local education -authorities' concerned have had time to adjust their arrangements. I am making inquiries as to the probable effect of the change in different areas.
§ 33. Mr. BLACKasked the President of the Board of Education how many certificated teachers were out of employment on 1st July, 1924, and how many supplementary teachers were in employment in the elementary schools on the same date?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI regret I am unable to say what was the total number of certificated teachers out of employment on the 1st July, 1924, and I could not ascertain it without having previously addressed inquiries to all persons who have been recognised by the Board as certificated teachers at any time in the past. The number of supplementary teachers in employment in public elementary schools on the 1st July, 1924, was 10,238.
§ Mr. BLACKCan steps be taken to secure employment for these highly-trained certificated teachers, who have been trained at such a large expense to the public?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThe whole of the policy which I outlined to the House a day or two ago is calculated to bring into employment a larger number of fully-trained teachers, as against untrained.
§ 34. Mr. BLACKasked the President of the Board of Education the average salaries of male certificated teachers for 1498 the year 1913–14 and 1924–25; the average salaries for female certificated teachers for the years 1913–14 and 1924–25; and what were the respective costs per scholar in the elementary schools?
§ Mr. TREVELYANAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The average salary of male certificated teachers in 1913–14 and 1922–23 was, respectively, £147 and £346. The corresponding figures for female certificated teachers are £103 and £270. The hon. Member will find further particulars on page 70 of the Report of the Board for the year 1922–23. The average cost per child in public elementary schools in 1913–14 was 96s. 6d.; in 1922–23, 227s. 6d. Full particulars will be found on page 7 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates, which has already been made available for hon. Members.