§ 3. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the pupil to teacher ratio in primary schools in Wales at the most recent count; and how this compares with the ratio in 1979.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsThe ratio was 21.9 to 1 in January 1980 compared with 22 to 1 the previous year.
§ Mr. RobertsThe pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Wales is, indeed, a record.
§ Dr. Roger ThomasWill the Minister comment on the anomaly of a comprehensive school in South Glamorgan which has a pupil-teacher ratio of between 13 and 14 to 1, whilst comparable schools in other parts of Wales have a pupil-teacher ratio of between 16 and 17 to 1?
§ Mr. RobertsThe original question was about pupil-teacher ratios in primary schools, but I am happy to reply to the hon. Gentleman's question. The difference between the pupil-teacher ratio in a school in South Glamorgan and that in Dyfed, for example, could be due to falling school rolls. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman realises that it is not easy to transfer teachers from one school to another and from one authority to another.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasIs not the Minister's answer thoroughly undermined by the report presented to him by the inspectorate, which made it clear that last year only one authority in Wales succeeded, overall, in improving its pupil-teacher ratio? In all other authorities the overall pupil-teacher ratio has been reduced.
§ Mr. RobertsOnce again we have strayed from the subject of primary schools into general education. I can inform the hon. Gentleman that the pupil-teacher ratio for all schools in Wales is 18 to 1. Again, that is a record.