§ 30. Mr. MORLEYasked the President of the Board of Education if he will take steps to ensure that in all senior schools there shall be one teacher at least in excess of the number of classes, to enable class-teachers in such schools to have free periods for marking, etc.?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Lees-Smith)I would remind my hon. Friend that the Board no longer prescribe a scale of staffing for individual public elementary schools, and that the teaching establishments of the local education authorities are settled on an area basis. It is, however, the practice of many authorities so to staff their senior schools in appropriate cases as to leave free time for the correction of work and preparation of lessons by the individual teachers, and this practice has the Board's approval.
§ Mr. BEAUMONTWill the hon. Gentleman, in his instructions to local education authorities, urge that practice upon them?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI think we take the most practical step towards encouraging local authorities by paying the greater part of the expenses.