HC Deb 26 April 1983 vol 41 c722
12. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when, following his statement on plans to improve the quality of school teachers, Official Report, 21 March, columns 540–46, he expects to receive further advice from the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers on the new criteria to be applied to the new course proposals of training institutions starting in September; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Keith Joseph

I have asked the advisory committee to aim at submitting recommendations to me by the end of July 1983, so that I can establish criteria to be applied to new course proposals during the academic year which begins in September. It is also my intention to review existing approved courses in the light of the criteria.

Mr. Madel

Does my right hon. friend agree that when local education authorities select teachers for posts after they have been on the new courses in our training institutes they should pay special regard to whether the teacher has been trained for a primary or secondary school, because of the rapid changes in the curriculum?

Sir Keith Joseph

Yes, that is a valid point.

Mr. Jim Callaghan

With regard to the supply and education of teachers, may I ask how many thousands of letters the Secretary of State has received objecting to his decision to close the initial teacher training college courses at the De la Salle college in Middleton in my constituency? How many extra staff has he had to draft in to his Department to answer those letters?

Sir Keith Joseph

I do not know the answer to that question. If it does not involve too much work I shall send the hon. Gentleman information about the order of magnitude. I believe that the answer to his second question is none.

Mr. Eggar

What steps does my right hon. Friend propose to take to make it easier for local education authorities to dismiss poor and inefficient teachers'?

Sir Keith Joseph

It is not in my power to take any steps other than to urge local education authorities to remember that it is their duty, and in the interest of the children, after providing any extra in-service training that is justified, in the ultimate to dismiss a bad teacher.