§ 35. Mr. Timmonsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of uncertificated teachers in Scotland; and what is the percentage to the total.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe number is 1,507, which is about 4 per cent. of the total number of teachers in public and grant-aided schools.
§ Mr. TimmonsDoes not the Secretary of State take into account representations made to him by the E.I.S.? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in Lanarkshire particularly and in Glasgow the ratio is somewhere in the region of 20 to 30 per cent. of uncertificated teachers in many of our secondary schools? Is he further aware that this is having a very serious and damaging effect on the education of our children?
§ Mr. MacphersonI do not accept the figure that has been given by the hon. Gentleman, but I would say that many of these teachers, although not trained to teach in Scotland, have obtained training qualification elsewhere. Quite a large number also have technical qualifications although they do not have the teachers' certificate for Scotland.
§ Mr. TimmonsWould the hon. Gentleman give consideration and thought to the representations which are being made by the E.I.S., which is thoroughly acquainted with the facts?
§ Mr. MacphersonYes, Sir. The greatest respect is paid to the recommendations made by the E.I.S., but, on the other 18 hand, it should be remembered that we are short of teachers just now and that these uncertificated teachers are very often used in an emergency, as for example in the recent outbreak of influenza.