§ 11. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education whether he will request education authorities to regard teaching experience as essential in all appointments to the office of principal in teacher training colleges.
§ Sir D. EcclesSuch appointments are within the discretion of training college authorities, and I am sure they can be relied on to exercise that discretion suitably.
§ Mr. ThomasThe Minister has not answered my question. I asked him whether he would request the education authorities, or those responsible, to regard teaching experience as essential. Is he aware that when a vacancy for the principal-ship at the Barry Training College was recently advertised teaching experience was regarded as desirable? This is causing a great deal of offence to those who believe that in training colleges we ought to have people with much experience of teaching.
§ Sir D. EcclesAs a general rule, I would agree with the hon. Gentleman, but there may be exceptions to the rule, as Oxford and Cambridge have long recognised in the appointment of heads of colleges.