§ 36. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the success of the initial teaching alphabet in schools in Glasgow and in 1311 other Scottish areas; and whether, having regard to the recent report by the Schools Council, "Initial Teaching Alphabet—An Independent Evaluation", he will encourage the spread of that method to other authorities.
§ Mr. MillanI know that the initial teaching alphabet is already used in many Scottish schools. While I welcome initiative in new methods and systems of reading, I have no evidence at present which would justify me in seeking to influence education authorities and teachers to use it more extensively.
§ Mr. TilneyAlthough Scottish children have the reputation of being better educated than those in Inner London or even in Liverpool, does not the hon. Gentleman agree that many children find it difficult to master the almost Chinese number of characters of the traditional orthography, which uses them for the 40 sounds of the English tongue? Is he aware that Aberdeen has increased every year the number of schools using the 44-letter Initial Teaching Alphabet?
§ Mr. MillanSome schools are certainly using the 44-letter alphabet. I have visited Scottish schools where it has been in use, and used successfully. But that is rather a different thing from my right hon. Friend advising all education authorities and all headmasters and teachers to use the Initial Teaching Alphabet. This is a matter which head teachers can decide for themselves.