§ 22. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many Bachelor of Education degrees were awarded to students in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970; how many students failed to get such degrees in each of these years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe first degrees were awarded in 1968. The numbers awarded in 1968, 1969 and 1970 were 208, 1,368 and 2,268 respectively, and the numbers of failed candidates in the same years, 14, 96 and 149 respectively.
§ Mr. Barry JonesIs the Under-Secretary aware that the development of this degree has been, to say the least, somewhat sketchy and highly localised? Is he further aware that in the colleges there is some discontent among students at the manner in which they are drafted to the courses, and will he institute a survey?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI am aware of certain anxieties in certain quarters. I think it likely that the forthcoming inquiry will have this matter, at least in part, under its surveillance.