§ 54. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Departmental Committee on the Training of Teachers recommended that, except for graduates or teachers already certificated, the training college course should extend over not less than two years, and that the new Regulations for the training of teachers, 1926, reduce the two years to one in the case of students who have passed a second school examination only; whether these Regulations will permit students of 19 years of age passing from training colleges to teach in schools, whereas the existing Regulations require that the age should be 20; and whether the purpose of these new Regulations is to reduce cost?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl)I am aware of the recommendation in question. As regards the regulation I would point out that it is permissive in character, and does not preclude a student from taking a two-year course. The suggestion made in the second part of the question may be applicable in exceptional cases, but normally, I think, the age at which a student begins work as a teacher will be found to be about 20 or 21, and the first year of service will be probationary. The educational arguments for the change are discussed in the Report of the Committee and in the Memorandum of Dissent. They appeared to the Board to be strong enough to justify the admission of this alternative to the existing practice. The financial effect is doubtful; it was certainly not the reason for the Board's decision.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes not the Noble Lady realise that the result of this will be to discourage the students taking a longer course, and that the effect upon the schools will be that the teachers will be less trained? If there is no economy, what advantage can it be to the State for the students to take the lesser course?
DUCHESS of ATHOLLThe hon. Gentleman forgets that no inducement is offered the students to take the shorter course. It is entirely permissive. The hon. Member will remember that it was recommended in the Memorandum of Dissent, which was signed by several persons of considerable experience, and that one of the arguments put forward in its favour was that it would encourage students to take a full course at a Secondary School.