HC Deb 05 April 1962 vol 657 cc630-1
25. Sir B. Janner

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that a considerable number of well qualified girls leaving school this year and desiring to enter teacher training colleges are un able to do so owing to lack of available places; and, in view of the serious shortage of qualified teachers, if he will make arrangements to enable girls wishing to enter the teaching profession to get special training while awaiting places at normal training colleges.

Sir D. Eccles

I know that a number of well qualified candidates have not so far secured admission to a training college for next September. I am grateful to the hon. Member for his suggestion, but it seems better to concentrate the available resources upon maximum expansion of the normal training provision so that as many candidates as possible can be accepted. Meantime, the colleges nave been asked to make every effort to take as many candidates as they can, for example, by taking more day students.

Sir B. Janner

Has not the Minister known for years that this year would be the year in which a large number of students for training as teachers would be available? What has he done? Why is not he prepared to do something effective so that they will not need to stay on a further term in sixth form and to ensure that these girls have at least some opportunity to help us in our great difficulties?

Sir D. Eccles

The difficulty arises from going over to the three-year course at the same time as the maximum bulge is coming out of the secondary schools. I have good hopes that the crowding up, which the colleges are very willing to do, will take care of a good proportion.

Mr. Jennings

In order to meet this serious emergency in the training of teachers, will my right hon. Friend consider the creation of more day training colleges?

Sir D. Eccles

We are, in fact, enlarging the day training colleges, and I think that this is a very valuable new development.