HC Deb 01 March 1962 vol 654 cc1517-8
20. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Education if he will make a further statement on the experience gained from the special class for gypsy children at the Stone Church of England Primary School; and what consideration is being given to an extension of this form of approach in Kent and other counties of England and Wales so as to deal effectively with some of the human problems involved.

Sir D. Eccles

The experience of this class confirms that sympathetic treatment at an ordinary school is suitable for gypsy children. This is the general view of local education authorities who have to deal with this problem.

Mr. Dodds

While thanking the Minister for the excellent report and congratulating the headmaster and the staff on their wonderful work, may I ask the Minister whether he does not agree that it underlines the need for a special approach, if we are to catch up with the backlog of neglect, when so often the need is first to teach social behaviour before teaching the alphabet? Is it not wrong, as so often happens, to put a ten-year-old gypsy boy into a school with ten-year-olds who attend regularly? This is often done, with very disappointing results?

Sir D. Eccles

As the hon. Member knows, the first thing is to get hold of the gypsy children. I believe that teachers are very sympathetic when these children come into their schools.

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that the problem of gypsies is a great problem in a large number of constituencies? Will he not circularise education authorities throughout the country asking them to deal with the problem of teaching them on similar lines to those outlined in the Question?

Sir D. Eccles

My estimation is that the education authorities are very well aware of this problem.

Mr. Dodds

Is the Minister aware that this is the only example of its kind? Is it not a case that one can go to school after school and see an odd gypsy child in each, often very much out of place? Do we not need this special approach?

Sir D. Eccles

We cannot have a special class unless we can get enough gypsy children to make one.