HC Deb 01 July 1965 vol 715 cc801-2
16. Mr. Hamling

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now considered the representations from members of staffs at colleges of education upon teacher supply; and if he will make a statement.

47. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he has given to the representations made by members of staffs at colleges of education on teacher supply; and what action he will take.

Mr. Crosland

I have had a series of useful discussions with the Association of Teachers in Colleges and Departments of Education about securing the more productive use of the facilities of the colleges so as to increase the supply of teachers while safeguarding quality. I am sending a letter shortly to all colleges and institutes of education and local education authorities suggesting certain methods of achieving this, with a view to the adoption of whichever method would best suit the colleges' particular circumstances.

Mr. Hamling

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the proposal for a four-term year has had an inhibiting effect on the attitude of many members of the staffs of colleges of education? Would he not agree that, if this proposal were completely withdrawn, we might get a more positive approach to methods of and suggestions for improving the supply of teachers from those staffs?

Mr. Crosland

I am aware that the proposal for a four-term year—perhaps I should say a particular proposal for a four-term year—has caused a great deal of anxiety amongst the staffs of these colleges. I think that there was a misunderstanding here, as some of the staffs assumed that I wished to ram this proposal down their throats. I had no such intention. My view has always been that we should try to get a larger output from the colleges, but there is no one ideal method of doing so. What I have done in the letter to which I referred is suggest five or six possible means of getting a large increase in the output of teachers and say that the colleges ought to adopt whichever one suits their particular circumstances.

Sir E. Boyle

Is the Secretary of State aware that his answer, in particular the words "whichever methods", should give considerable reassurance to those who have been anxious about this matter? Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that there was widespread feeling in the House on 30th April, when we debated teacher supply, that steps should be taken by a number of means to increase the productivity of the colleges, while at the same time there was equal agreement in not wanting any imposition on the colleges of methods which seemed to them harmful educationally?

Mr. Crosland

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for both his points. In the last two or three weeks I and my Department have had long meetings with the A.T.C.D.E. While I do not want to prejudge what they may choose to say when the letter comes up for publication, I can say that these meetings have been in a spirit of great cordiality.