§ 41. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been called to the shortage of science and mathematical teachers in 675 secondary grammar schools, of art and domestic science mistresses in girls' secondary schools and to the reluctance of both young men and women to enrol for graduate courses; to what fact does he attribute these shortages and this reluctance; and what remedies does he suggest.
§ Mr. HardmanI am aware that there is a shortage of domestic science teachers and that the number of applicants for training is greatly in excess of the capacity of existing colleges. It is our aim to secure considerable expansion of the training facilities as and when the necessary buildings can be made available. I am aware that there is some shortage of suitably qualified teachers of the other categories referred to, but I have no definite evidence of the extent of the shortage. I know of no reluctance on the part of young men and women to enrol for graduate courses, but the Interim Committee for Teachers is being asked to consider the probable future requirements of the schools for graduate and specialist teachers.
§ Mr. LindsayWill my hon. Friend bear in mind the view of the Barlow Report that it is a very serious thing if we are not going to get the number of scientists coming forward to the universities, through the shortage of highly qualified trained scientists in the grammar and secondary schools of the country?
§ Mr. HardmanYes. I think one of the troubles is that so many of the highly trained scientists are going to other professional work. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of the Ministry to see that a sufficient number of them are available.
Mrs. ManningDoes not my hon. Friend agree that this vicious circle really starts with the number of girls who are allowed to take such subjects as history and English and who never have their minds directed towards the possibilities of scientific work?