§ 20. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education to what extent it is his policy to encourage the development of courses for the General Certificate of Education in secondary modern schools.
§ Sir E. BoyleMy right hon. Friend's recent White Paper gave the strongest encouragement to the development of extended courses in schools of this kind. These should certainly include courses for the General Certificate of Education where appropriate.
§ Mr. SwinglerCan we therefore say that we have now converted the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues to the view that all secondary schools should provide a comprehensive range of courses?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am not going to be drawn into the controversy about comprehensive schools. The White Paper does not mention the G.C.E. specifically. This is because the Government's aim is wider than that and includes opportunities of extended courses of all kinds. Our policy is that all children, in whatever schools they find themselves, should receive the kind of education which is most appropriate to their abilities.
§ Mr. M. StewartHow can they do that unless the school offers a comprehensive range of courses?
§ Sir E. BoyleThere is a considerable difference between a comprehensive range of courses, with which all of us would agree, so far as the aptitudes of the children make these courses appropriate, and the very large comprehensive schools which are advocated in another context from the other side of the House.