HC Deb 18 April 1978 vol 948 cc240-2
10. Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has any further plans to provide employment opportunities for unemployed teachers and student teachers who will become qualified in the current year.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

In January 1978, 465,000 teachers were in employment in England and Wales, 2,700 more than in September last. My hon. Friend will also be aware that the rate support grant settlement for 1978–79 should enable local education authorities to employ nearly 471,000 teachers next school year—that is, some 11,300 more than would be needed simply to maintain previous policies. In addition, Statutory Instrument No. 422, which was laid before Parliament on 22nd March 1918, provides for the payment of superannuation benefits to certain older teachers who are retired early, which could help to create vacancies for younger teachers.

Mr. Rodgers

I appreciate the measures that have been taken by my right hon. Friend. Does she agree, however, that it is absurd that simultaneously we should have the problem of over-size classes and unemployed teachers? In view of the anticipated further redistribution of resources by the Chancellor, will she press him to take steps to make funds available for this purpose?

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that over the last three years the pupil-teacher ratio has steadily improved, and our plans indicate that it will continue to improve for at least two years ahead. In addition to the figures that I have already given, there will be vacancies for an additional 2,000 teachers in further education. The numbers of unemployed teachers have fallen from 10,500 in December last to 8,800 in March, which is some improvement.

Sir Bernard Braine

Does the right hon. Lady nevertheless agree that there has been a tragic waste of young talent here, and does that not pose a deeper question? Is she satisfied that sufficient attention is being given currently in our schools to the gearing of education to the likely job opportunities in the next decade, when we all know that massive changes will have to take place in productive methods and. Indeed, in jobs generally?

Mrs. Williams

Yes, we are very much aware of that. That is one reason why we are encouraging far closer contact between schools and industry. One example in recent weeks has been the discussions that have now started with the Engineering Industry Training Board to see whether some part of the foundation year can be taken in the last year of school, particularly for those boys and girls for whom vocational education is especially attractive.

Mr. MacFarquhar

Has my right hon. Friend had any talks with our right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development with a view to seeing whether some of the unemployed teachers could be persuaded to go overseas to teach English and other subjects in Third world countries?

Mrs. Williams

Yes, some consideration has been given to that matter. A number of teachers are going overseas, not only to teach English, but to help in the setting up of primary school systems—for example, in Fiji.

Mr. Beith

Does the Secretary of State regret that she has still not found it possible to find a way of getting young trained teachers who are on the job creation scheme into the classroom by the use of those funds? Will not the whole structure of the teaching force in future years be distorted if we miss the best of the intake over these last two years?

Mrs. Williams

On the latter point, we are making provision for additional jobs, particularly to give opportunities to the very able young people who are now trying to enter teaching. I do not believe that a figure of 11,300 more in schools and 2,000 more in further education is too shameful against an unemployment figure of 8,800.