HC Deb 01 February 1938 vol 331 cc33-5
76. Mr. Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can now state the number of certificated teachers who completed their training in 1937 who have not found employment in public elementary schools; how many of them have been able to secure other teaching posts; and how many are still unemployed?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)

Of the 6,854 students who left training colleges and training departments in 1937, 4,853 were notified to the Board, as at 31st December last, as having obtained posts in public elementary schools, and, according to returns received from the colleges and departments, 905 obtained other teaching posts. Of the remainder, 710 who were known to have been seeking employment as teachers were reported as having failed to obtain posts.

Mr. Harvey

Has not the Board a special responsibility for these teachers, who have been trained at the expense of the Government and for whom there is only a limited number of places?

Mr. Lindsay

I can only say to the hon. Gentleman that the position is very much better than it was last year, and very much better still than the year before; and next year I think, with the raising of the school-leaving age, we ought to be able to reduce the unemployment to a minimum.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman say approximately how many of the teachers who have not secured appointments are in debt to the Education authorities in respect of amounts borrowed by them during their period at college?

Mr. Lindsay

I could not say without notice.

Mr. A. Bevan

Would not the number of unemployed teachers be reduced if the size of the classes were also reduced?

Mr. Lindsay

That is much more a question of buildings than of teachers.

Mr. Bevan

Ought not new buildings to be constructed?

Mr. Lindsay

They are going up as fast as possible.

77. Mr. Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of certificated teachers who completed their training in 1935 and 1936, respectively, who have not secured teaching work?

Mr. Lindsay

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The numbers of students who left training colleges and training departments in 1935 and 1936 who were reported as having failed to obtain teaching posts by 31st December in the year following the completion of their training were as follow:

Year of leaving. Number who left. Students who were known to be seeking teaching posts and who had failed to obtain them within 18 months.
1935 7,269 376
1936 6,546 291
Later information is not available.