8. Mr. Compton Carrasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initial training course is taken by teachers entering the approved school service; and how many teachers have undergone this course.
§ Mr. VosperAlmost all teachers entering the approved school service are qualified teachers. The provision of special initial training is under consideration for teachers and certain other grades of staff, many of whom attend courses to improve their knowledge and technique during their service.
Mr. CarrI thank my right hon. Friend for part of that reply, namely, that something is under consideration, but does not he agree that it is extremely reprehensible that we should send disturbed, maladjusted and sometimes even violent children to be dealt with, with a view to their reclamation, by teachers who are not only not trained in the handling of such children but sometimes are not even qualified teachers?
§ Mr. VosperIn fact, only 12 out of the 501 teachers in approved schools are unqualified. I accept that even that is undesirable, and I go further and stress that special training over and above ordinary teacher-training should be provided in respect of these schools.