HC Deb 31 March 1960 vol 620 cc1481-2
4. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education how many classes of handicapped children are over-size as defined by Regulation 34 of 1953; and what percentage of these over-sized classes form of all classes for handicapped children.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Kenneth Thompson)

There were 499 over-sized classes of handicapped pupils in special schools in January, 1959. These formed 13.7 per cent. of all classes of handicapped pupils.

Mr. Boyden

Is the Minister aware that not only is there this overall shortage, but that many of the teachers in these schools doing this very exacting and difficult work have not had proper training for it? Could the Minister state what special measures he proposes to take in order to recruit new teachers for this form of work and also to offer opportunities and courses for teachers who have already taken these classes?

Mr. Thompson

Our general plans for recruiting teachers will relieve this problem and provide us with the necessary additional teachers for this admittedly difficult work.

Mr. Boyden

Could the Minister say what steps he will take for existing teachers who have not had proper training—there are many of them—to enable local authorities and institutes of education to offer courses?

Mr. Thompson

Refresher courses are available in one or two parts of the country and I will have a look to see if they can be extended.