§ 11. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the fact that curriculum and timetables in secondary schools fall within the province of local education authorities, governing bodies and heads of schools, she will arrange that all decisions relating to school visits and excursions similarly rest with the above authorities, bodies and persons.
§ Miss WilkinsonIt is necessary for His Majesty's inspectors to be satisfied that such visits are of educational value and that the arrangements for them are satisfactory. This does not mean, however, that each individual visit has to be separately approved. His Majesty's inspectors may give general approval in advance for visits of agreed types and purposes.
§ Mr. LindsaySo that the answer last week about filling in forms in triplicate, which I discovered has caused consternation in Leeds and Manchester this weekend, is now abrogated, and the principle of freedom of the school is well established?
§ Miss WilkinsonI do not think the hon. Member can put a gloss of his own on 760 what I say. If he will look at what I have said, it just does not fit.
§ Mr. Eric FletcherMay we be assured that everything possible will be done to encourage the paying of educational visits?
§ Miss WilkinsonAfter all, the business of schools is to get on with the job of education. These matters are subject to perfectly friendly discussion between the heads of schools and His Majesty's inspectors, and what one might call extramural visits are helpful to serve the purpose of education. When once permission is given, it is not necessary to fill up a form for every individual visit. As I say, permission may be given for groups or a set of children, but it is done on a basis of sensible people doing a sensible job.
§ Mr. LipsonWhat is the objection to leaving to the heads of the schools the decision whether these visits are of educational value or not? Cannot you trust them to that extent?
§ Miss WilkinsonThey are not the Education Department. As a matter of fact, there is extraordinarily little friction in the way this system is being worked.
§ Mr. RankinWould it not be possible for the English authority to follow the very enlightened and advanced practice of Scotland in this matter?
§ Mr. Edward EvansIs not the right hon. Lady confusing schooling with education?
§ Miss WilkinsonNot in the least. I say that we are perfectly willing to give permission for suitable extra-mural activities, but I see no reason whatever why those should not be discussed between the headmasters and His Majesty's inspectors.
§ Mr. StephenWhy should the Minister suppose that the inspectors should be more qualified in this respect than the headmasters? Is it not the case in education that headmasters have much more knowledge in that respect than inspectors?