HC Deb 25 January 1983 vol 35 cc772-3
5. Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make additional resources available to enable education authorities to maintain the quality of education and choice of subject in schools in which staffing numbers are significantly reduced as the result of a fall in the school roll.

Sir Keith Joseph

The rate support grant settlement for 1983–84 will, if costs are contained, provide for some improvement in pupil-teacher ratios. Where pupil numbers are falling, local education authorities should rationalise their school provision in the interests of the curriculum.

Mr. Newens

Yes, but does the right hon. Gentleman not recognise that falling school rolls result in a reduction in the number of classes regarded as viable for minority subjects, which may reduce the number of those classes below the level at which the employment of a teacher for such minority subjects is justified? Is it not essential, therefore, that some guidance should be given to remove the lower limits of minimum size of classes at A-level, so that if necessary there can be classes of two or three children, to maintain the possibility of children in schools with declining rolls having the opportunity to study a second language, all the science subjects, and so on?

Sir Keith Joseph

I agree with the hon. Gentleman's objective, but local education authorities have the difficult task of reconciling the protection of the curriculum, including minority subjects, with falling rolls. We have a record pupil-teacher ratio, but I recognise that the job of LEAs is difficult, and of course there are ways, including combination of classes in consortia, or taking out surplus places through a rationalisation of schools, to meet the problem that the hon. Gentleman identifies.

Mr. George Cunningham

As investment in education is one of the most valuable long-term things that we can do, why does the Secretary of State not make use of the circumstances of falling rolls to maintain that investment at a time which the Government at least regard as extremely difficult?

Sir Keith Joseph

Because the Government have judged and publicly proclaimed their view that some restraint in Government expenditure is essential if we are to have a revival of the economy and jobs.

Dr. Hampson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his concentration of additional resources in particular problem areas is greatly welcomed, as, for example, the £2 million that he has put in to help the department of practical curricula for low attainment pupils? People in Bradford are very grateful for that. Will he say how long that scheme will run as a pilot scheme before it is extended?

Sir Keith Joseph

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I remind the House that nearly two-thirds of the local education authorities put in a bid for a share of the £2 million for pilot projects for lower attaining pupils. The scheme is for pilot projects, and we hope to learn from it continuously once it starts in September of this year.

Mr. Dobson

Does the Secretary of State accept as facts the figures in the survey by the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers—a survey of 80 per cent. of education authorities—which showed a narrowing of curricula, increased use of non-specialist teaching, bigger classes, bigger teaching loads, and a massive increase in primary schools of mixed age teaching, including, in Lincolnshire, mixed age teaching covering 4½year-olds and 11-year-olds?

Sir Keith Joseph

It all goes to show—to the extent that it is true, and I am sure that much of it is true—the importance of local education authorities getting on with the difficult but necessary task of taking surplus places out of use so as to rationalise education provision, while protecting the curriculum.

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