Teachers

HC Deb 05 February 1969 vol 777 cc399-400

33. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified and experienced teachers have been dismissed from teaching, and have received notice of dismissal, respectively, for failure to register with the General Teaching Council.

Mr. Millan

Education authorities have adopted motions for the dismissal of 404 teachers. Notices of motions for dismissal have been issued in respect of a further 105 teachers.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Is it not time that a stop was put to this disgraceful exercise here and now? Would the hon. Gentleman accept that there is not a child in Scotland whose schooling is worth sacrificing to enable him to save his face? Will he withdraw his regulation and release local authorities from an impossible position which is not of their choosing?

Mr. Millan

We have debated this matter many times. There is no question of saving the face of the Government or of anyone else. The matter has been made quite clear. I am glad to say that only last week there were another 399 registrations to the General Teaching Council. It seems that the number of teachers we are now dealing with is already coming down and will continue to come down. I hope, at the end of the day, that it will not be necessary for any teacher to lose his job. There is no reason why he should.

Mr. Lawson

Will the hon. Gentleman give us the other side of the coin and tell us how many non-certificated teachers have already been dismissed from service?

Mr. Millan

A very large number, including 500 only last week.

Miss Harvie Anderson

Is it not unfair that some schools in Glasgow, as a result of dismissals, will have as many as a dozen classes on part-time education? Is this not a tragic situation for the children involved? Surely some action should be taken to avoid such a situation in any school.

Mr. Millan

The situation can easily be avoided by the teachers registering now. which is what they are doing.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.