HC Deb 17 June 1931 vol 253 cc1742-4
60. Mr. SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the data from which the report of the Committee of Council on Education, 1930–31, states that 11,346 pupils left school unqualified during 1930–31 from primary schools or primary departments; and what steps are proposed to be taken in future to supply this lack of education?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Westwood)

The figure referred to is compiled from the statistics supplied by education authorities, relating to the attainments of the pupils leaving each school. As to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to his similar question on 6th June, 1930; and I may point out that the improvement therein referred to has continued during the past year. The problem of simplifying the curriculum without loss of real educational values continues to engage the close attention of the Department.

61. Mr. SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the figures on which the statement is arrived at in the report of the Committee of Council on Education for 1929–30 that 60 per cent. of the children leaving day schools have failed in various degrees to reach the normal goal in education; and what is the corresponding percentage for the year 1930–31 and the figures on which the last-mentioned percentage is based?

Mr. WESTWOOD

The figures on which the statement referred to is based are to be found in Tables V (a) and V (b) of the summary statistics, which are appended to the Department's report for 1929–30. The corresponding percentage for the subsequent year, namely, 57.9, is indicated on page 21 of the report for 1930–31 recently published; and the relevant figures are given in Tables V (a) and V (b) of the summary statistics annexed to that report.

Mr. SCOTT

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the serious state of Scottish education if 57 per cent. of the pupils in the primary schools fail to reach the normal goal in education?

Mr. WESTW00D

I also realise that 57.9 is 2.1 per cent. better than it was last year.

Mr. McSHANE

May I ask my hon. Friend what is the normal goal in education?

62. Mr. SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many schools a qualifying examination in reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and geography is held and in how many schools no such examination is held, showing the respective areas of such schools; how many pupils have reached the age of 12, and how many of these were not put for ward for a qualifying examination at that age; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that all pupils in primary schools or primary departments shall in future be submitted for qualifying examination with uniformity of test, to which attention has been called by His Majesty's chief inspector of schools?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6th June, 1930, to his question as to the character and number of the schemes for the promotion of scholars who have satisfactorily completed the work proper to the senior division. At the end of the school year 1929–30, there were 70,257 scholars of 12 years of age. Under the approved schemes of promotion, the qualifications of all those who had completed the work of the senior division would necessarily receive appropriate consideration. The schemes of promotion have been framed by the education authorities with due regard to the conditions prevailing in their area, and the operation of the schemes is reviewed from time to time by His Majesty's inspectors of schools. My right hon. Friend does not consider that the institution of a general qualifying examination with uniformity of test is desirable.