§ 30. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Education how many vacancies there are in grammar schools, whether boys, girls or mixed, for teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.
§ Mr. PickthornVacancies are not notified to my right hon. Friend. During the past three years, there has been a small but welcome increase in the number of teachers holding degrees in mathematics or science who are employed in maintained grammar schools. At the same time, she is aware of the anxiety that is felt about the adequacy of the supply of such teachers and the matter is continuing to receive her close attention.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonWill the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that numbers are not the only question involved here, but that the quality of science teaching is declining very considerably? Has he observed that there is a growing opinion in the universities, as evidenced by a speech yesterday by Sir Richard Southwell, and a letter in "The Times" yesterday by Professor 1401 Skinner, to the effect that the universities will have to adjust themselves to a lower quality of students, and does he not regard that as something extremely serious?
§ Mr. PickthornNo doubt, any inadequacy either in the numbers or the quality of science and mathematics teachers is a very serious matter, but the question whether the universities ought to attempt to meet that evil by lowering their standards is one which could not be discussed by Question and Answer across the Floor of the House, and is one which, fortunately, is no part of the responsibility of the Department for which I am answering.
§ Mr. A. RobertsDoes the hon. Gentleman contemplate any measures to overcome this shortage?
§ Mr. PickthornThe National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers is in continuous consultation with my right hon. Friend, and is keeping this matter under continuous review. We are all very fully aware of the difficulties.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the real difficulty is the fact that an honours graduate in mathematics or science is paid such a pittance for teaching that he is ultimately drawn into industry? That is the real reason why so few scientists are in the teaching profession today.
§ Mr. PickthornIt is true, of course, that one of the main reasons why persons qualified for more than one profession choose one rather than another is the amount of direct financial remuneration. We are all perfectly well aware of that.