§ 67. Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has been able to investigate the circumstances resultant from the issue of Circular 1297 in January, 1923, which laid down that the number of blind children in a class should not exceed 20, whereas the previous regulation had stipulated the number to be 15; and, as the circular recommended the employment of uncertificated teachers, will he take steps to immediately withdraw this circular?
§ Mr. TREVELYANAs regards the first part of the question, the revised regulations for special schools will shortly be issued in draft. The hon. Member will find that the provisions relating to the size of classes are purposely left elastic so as to suit the circumstances of different schools. As regards the qualifications of teachers, the Board's regulations have always provided for the recognition in these schools, under certain conditions, of teachers who were neither certificated nor uncertificated. While I do not propose to abandon this provision, I have no intention of lowering the standard hitherto adopted for this purpose.