HC Deb 22 May 1958 vol 588 cc1493-4
39. Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take this year to rectify the error in 11-plus selection, affecting 78,000 children, made in 1955.

Sir E. Boyle

I cannot accept the implication of the hon. Member's Question that large numbers of pupils are assigned to schools for which they are not suited. But secondary schools of all kinds should provide courses of similar standard for pupils who are near the borderline of selection for schools of different kinds. Much is being done along these lines, both by the schools themselves, and by local education authorities.

Mr. Short

While I welcome the last part of that reply, may I say that the hon. Gentleman knows quite well the figure to which I am referring? May I take it from his reply that he repudiates this piece of expert research done by the National Foundation for Educational Research? Whether he accepts the figure of 78,000 or not, does he think it indicates a very large margin of error in the method of selection and, as these children are now 13 or 14 years of age—the age when pupils go to public schools—is not this the appropriate year to rectify this appalling error?

Sir E. Boyle

If the hon. Member will look again at the chapter from which he drew the figures, he will see that the authors were careful not to go so far as to say that 78,000 children were receiving an education unsuited to their capacities. This is a very big question. We cannot debate the whole question of secondary education now, but my right hon. Friend has made clear on many occasions our desire to improve standards in secondary modern schools and to try experiments with education wherever they can be justified.

Mr. Short

Whether the hon. Gentleman accepts the figure of 78,000 or not, does not he agree that this piece of research reveals a very wide margin of error?

Sir E. Boyle

We all recognise the importance of making our selection method as good as possible and of not being content with existing methods. This is an important piece of evidence, but I think the Question asked by the hon. Member puts more weight on it than it can really bear.