§ 79. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Education if he will reduce the period required to enable an uncertificated teacher to attain the status of qualified from 20 years to 10 as at present the great majority of uncertificated teachers are unable to reach the maximum salary payable to a qualified teacher and receive a correspondingly smaller pension on retirement.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe provision by which the status of qualified teacher is given to uncertificated teachers with 20 years' service is based on an agreement reached by teachers and local education authorities after careful consideration of all the issues involved. I am, therefore, 2019 not prepared to make the change suggested by the hon. Member. Uncertificated teachers with more than five and less than 20 years' service have the opportunity of attaining the status of qualified teacher by means of special one-year courses of training.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not practicable for a great many of these teachers to start training now and, in view of the fact that a great many of them have exactly the same responsibilities in schools as certificated teachers and have proved their worth, will he not give further consideration to this matter?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have given a good deal of consideration to this question and I am afraid it would cause more intense trouble than it would remedy if I were to make a change. I would point out, however, that we are generous in our attitude to those who take the 12 months' course in order to qualify.