§ 82. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will define the terms control examination, qualifying examination, and qualifying stage, which are used in annual reports of the Committee of Council on Education and reports of His Majesty's inspectors of schools, and explain the relation of the respective terms to primary classes, advanced division classes, and secondary schools?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)The expression "qualifying examination" was originally applied to the examination which His Majesty's inspectors of schools conducted under former Codes in order to determine whether pupils were fitted for promotion from the senior division to the more advanced classes of a primary school or to a higher grade or secondary department. The official examination disappeared when the Code of Regulations for Day Schools, 1923, came into operation, but the expression is still commonly applied to any test which may be imposed to determine whether pupils who have completed the work of the senior division are suitable for promotion to advanced divisions or secondary courses. The term "control examination" has no definite official significance. Where, however, it is used it would normally be understood to mean a separate or additional test, e.g., for the purpose of distinguishing pupils whose educational attainments fit them to proceed to the full secondary course of five years leading to the leaving certificate. Pupils are said to be at the qualifying stage when they have completed or are about to complete the work proper to the senior division—a stage normally reached at or about the age of 12.
§ Mr. SCOTTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of misconception with regard to the subject matter of this question in Scotland among education authorities, and even among the headmasters of some schools; and will he give us the terms issued by the Department controlling the passing of pupils from the primary schools to the advanced schools?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONI am afraid that I could not do so without notice, but, if there be any misconception in the matter, I trust that this question and answer may assist in dispelling it.
§ 84. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total circulation in 1929 of the annual report of the Committee of Council on Education and the general reports of His Majesty's chief inspectors of schools, respectively; how many of the former at 1s. each were purchased last year; how many of the latter at 1s. 6d. each were purchased; whether copies of either or both were sent gratis to each member of the education authorities for their consideration; and, if not, whether he would be prepared to instruct this to be done this year and in future years?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe figures asked for in the first part of the question are 890 and 681, respectively; in the second 439; in the third 507. Copies of these publications were not sent gratis to members of education authorities, and, having regard to the cost involved, my right hon. Friend does not feel prepared to accept the suggestion made in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. SCOTTIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied at finding that so few copies of this important document have reached the parties responsible for education in Scotland? Will he consider sending gratis copies to those men and women who are giving their services to education without remuneration of any kind?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIt is really a matter for the Stationery Office in the first instance, but I will pass on the suggestion to my right hon. Friend.