§ 6. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education what percentages of children in the primary and secondary schools, respectively, are being taught in oversized classes at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe figures for January, 1958, were 29.7 per cent. for juniors and 62.1 per cent. for seniors.
§ Mr. SwinglerDo not these figures show that comparatively little progress has been made in reducing the proportion of oversized classes in schools over the last six or seven years? Is not the secondary school figure particularly shocking in that nearly two-thirds of the classes are overcrowded? How does that figure compare with those of the last two or three years?
§ Mr. LloydThe figure is improving for juniors, although we should like to see it improve even more. There has not been an actual improvement with seniors during the last year. The figure is just about the same as that of a year ago, but it must be remembered that there are more than 100,000 more children in senior schools, so that we have held the position in a rather difficult period.