HC Deb 29 June 1961 vol 643 cc642-5
16. Mrs. White

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to increase the number of teachers of mathematics.

The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain) on 13th June.

Mrs. White

Can the right hon. Gentleman, in the first place, tell us when the proposed conference with the universities is to be held? Secondly, would he not agree that the progress in this matter has been extremely dilatory? Is he not aware that a very strong warning on the difficulties was given in the Government Report on Scientific Manpower issued in 1959? Does he not think that his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey), that it was not until 26th May of this year that a formal approach was made to the Vice-Chancellors, shows that the Government have not taken adequate steps?

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot say exactly when the conference will take place, because it is under the auspices of the universities and it is for them to decide this. On the training college side, I think we have been making steady progress for a long time. I quite agree that the difficulty is that we do not get enough graduates as mathematics teachers, but I hope that now that the universities are seized of the problem things will improve.

Mr. Willey

What has the right hon. Gentleman done about graduates since he received warnings some years ago? Does he realise that it is a shortage which can have really disastrous effects unless something is done?

Sir D. Eccles

I can do things only in the field for which I am responsible, which is the training colleges. Otherwise I can only persuade. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that I really believe that the universities now see the importance of the problem.

17. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education if he will consult with institutes of education, university extramural departments and local education authorities with a view to establishing an increased number of evening courses for teachers of mathematics at all levels.

Sir D. Eccles

Last November I asked local education authorities to take the initiative in providing local courses for serving teachers in those subjects, such as mathematics, in which there is a shortage of well qualified teachers. Institutes of Education have been asked to collaborate closely with the authorities in this matter. I will ask university extra-mural departments to consider if they can help.

Mr. Boyden

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing a little more than persuading? Is he providing increased grants so that the extra cost will not fall on the authorities concerned?

Sir D. Eccles

I must first see whether the extra-mural departments are willing to put on any courses at all.

18. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education if he will consult with the larger employers of mathematicians, physcists and chemists with a view to their making available for the schools a proportion their staff.

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir, this is a suggestion on which I must first consult the local authorities and teachers.

Mr. Boyden

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it abundantly clear that if industry does not ration itself there may not be any industrial scientists for industry later on?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir: but I think the hon. Gentleman will know that industry is already lending a great many teachers of science and mathematics to the technical colleges, and the question is whether they can do something for the schools as well. It is clearly not such an interesting territory for them as the technical colleges.

Mr. Boyden

But it is more important.

23. Mrs. White

asked the Minister of Education what research is being conducted into the teaching of mathematics in junior schools.

Sir D. Eccles

Research into the different methods of teaching mathematics in primary schools is being undertaken by the National Foundation for Educational Research. Close attention is also being given to the teaching of mathematics in primary schools by a number of bodies and individuals, including Her Majesty's Inspectorate, training colleges and university departments of education, teachers and local education authorities. Many local short courses for teachers are being arranged, which usually result in the setting up of study groups for informal research.

Mrs. White

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if one goes round training colleges and primary schools one finds that a great deal of experimental work is being carried out in this extremely important field? In mathematics teaching generally, will he take a special interest in seeing that the result of these experiments are diffused throughout the teaching service, including among some of the older teachers who may not be aware of modern methods?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes. That is very important.

Mr. J. Wells

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there could be a vast saving in mathematics teaching if the country were to simplify its money sums by going over to a decimal currency?

Sir D. Eccles

That is a disputed point.

26. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Education what was the net increase in mathematics and science graduates teaching senior children in maintained primary and secondary schools for the latest available 12-month period.

Sir D. Eccles

The net increase in the year ending March, 1960, was 783. This was nearly five times the net increase five years earlier.

Mr. Willey

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is encouraging that this marks an increase over the previous year but that there is still a very big demand to be met? In view of the relative success which he has had so far, will he redouble his efforts to see that we get more graduates?

Sir D. Eccles

I hope and feel confident that the expansion of the universities will help us to do so.