School Year

HC Deb 13 July 1983 vol 45 c865

4. Mr. Lambie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is considering any change in the length of the school year or the school week.

Mr. Younger

No, Sir.

Mr. Lambie

Is it not about time that more consideration was given to a shorter school year and a shorter school week; for example, a four-day week? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that with the increasing and acute pressures in society on teachers and pupils, schools would perform more effectively and efficiently with shorter hours, thus giving more time for such things as in-service training?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the point which I think the hon. Gentleman is making—that what matters it is not so much the number of days that one spends at school, as the quality of the teaching that one gets there. Nevertheless, it has for long been accepted in Scotland that about 200 days in the year is the correct lime for children's education to be at its optimum and I have no plans to change that basic number.

Mr. Wilson

If the Secretary of State does not intend to make any changes in the length of the school year, what does he intend to do about school leavers in Scotland who leave in May but cannot get benefit until September? Will he make representations to the DHSS to adjust the regulations so that school leavers can get benefit a month earlier?

Mr. Younger

That question should be addressed to the Minister responsible.