§ 14. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Education how many adjustment classes for backward readers were held in 1961; and how many of these classes were taken by part-time married women teachers.
§ Sir D EcclesLocal education authorities are not asked to show classes of this kind separately in their statistical returns. The reason for this is that arrangements for helping backward readers vary a great deal and it would be difficult to put them into a small number of categories.
§ Mr. BoydenWill the right hon Gentleman do something to see that local authorities which do not carry out this work do something about it? Is he aware that this is one of the best ways of eliminating backwardness, which ultimately will be very much more expensive when these children find themselves in special schools?
§ Sir D. EcclesI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman about the importance of taking backward readers in small classes, and Her Majesty's inspectors are continually trying to get authorities to put this into practice.
§ Sir J. PitmanHas the Minister had any report from Walsall and Oldham concerning remedial teaching, and can he assure the House that he is looking carefully into the possibility that a change in medium is just as important as staffing ratios and the method of teaching, and that he is watching the situation?
§ Sir D. EcclesYes, Sir. The first reports from Walsall and Oldham are very encouraging, and I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall watch this matter with care.
§ Mr. HaleAs considerable publicity has already been given to these very successful reports, could they not be made available in the Library?
§ Sir D. EcclesI shall consider that.