§ 13. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education how many, and what proportion of, secondary modern schools entered candidates for the General Certificate of Education last year; how many such candidates sat for the examination; what was the average number of subjects taken; and to what extent the candidates were successful.
§ Sir E. BoyleAbout 700, or one in five of all secondary modern schools, entered 9,000 candidates for an average of four subjects each. The candidates were successful in just over half the subjects attempted.
§ Mr. SwinglerIn view of the very adverse conditions under which many of these schools operate and the very much higher pupil-teacher ratio in them than in the grammar and high schools, is this not a remarkable record? Will not the hon. Gentleman pay tribute to those who have developed the schools to this extent? Does this not show that if only the Minister would put more resources at the disposal of these schools the children could get a real secondary education?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am happy to agree with the hon. Member, and certainly my right hon. Friend warmly welcomes these developments. It is, I believe, the aim of all local education authorities that all these opportunities should be extended as quickly as possible.