§ 20. Mr. E. EVANSasked the President of the Board of Education how many of the men and women who left training colleges and university training departments in July last are still reported as having failed to obtain employment as 477 teachers; and whether he has any plans for assisting such men and women to obtain employment?
Mr. STANLEYThe number of students who left the training colleges and training departments in July, 1934, and had not secured teaching posts by the 31st December was 1,359, but this figure includes a considerable number of students who had failed to pass their final examinations as well as a number who were not immediately seeking employment in the teaching profession. A considerable number of those have obtained posts in State-aided schools since that date. I very much regret that any of these students should be finding difficulty in obtaining employment; but it would not be justifiable to employ more teachers in the schools than are required for their efficient conduct. There were on the 31st March, 1935, some 5,000 more certificated teachers in full-time employment in the public elementary schools than on the 31st March, 1931.
Sir PERCY HARMSCould not some of these surplus teachers be utilised in order to reduce some of the large classes which are still conspicuous in some parts of the country?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDo not these figures show that the occupation of a teacher is one that is very much sought after?