HC Deb 28 April 1986 vol 96 cc651-3
11. Mr. Gwilym Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the latest preparations for the new general certificate of secondary education examination and on the resources that have been made available.

16. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress of arrangements for the introduction of the general certificate of secondary education examination in Wales.

18. Sir Raymond Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the extent of preparations for the introduction of the new general certificate of secondary education in Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Preparation for the introduction of the GCSE is well on course in Wales. We have made significant resources available for the special programme of teacher training, and have offered local education authorities funds to supplement the secondary school capitation allowance during the first two years of the new examination courses.

Mr. Jones

Does my hon. Friend agree that we should not lose sight of the fact that this new examination was generally welcomed as being superior to the existing examinations and therefore of advantage to school children? Accordingly, what reassurances can my hon. Friend give to parents in my constituency and throughout Wales who are gravely concerned that those advantages to their children are being jeopardised, or, at best, severely impaired, as a consequence of the teachers' dispute?

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend is right to say that when the GCSE was announced, as long ago as June 1984, it was very much welcomed by all educationists, and there is no doubt that it is superior to the 0-level and CSE examinations. Those who desire to delay the start of the course in September this year and the subsequent examination must think seriously about their motives for doing so. The GCSE has had unprecedented support from the Government—far more financial support than any previous examination and course.

Sir Anthony Meyer

In view of the importance of making it clear beyond peradventure that this examination will be introduced on the stated date and that action by the teachers' unions, which could conceivably damage the examination, cannot possibly postpone it, will my hon. Friend none the less consider giving additional weapons to those teachers who are doing their best to introduce the examination on time by considering whether there should be an increase in the capitation grant, particularly for science subjects?

Mr. Roberts

I assure my hon. Friend that the Government do not regard alteration of the timetable as an option. The additional moneys that have been made available, particularly for books and equipment, to supplement the capitation fees amount to about £2,500 per secondary school per annum over the next two years and to about £18 per GCSE pupil.

Sir Raymond Gower

Is my hon. Friend aware that numerous teachers, including some headmasters insist that they have no knowledge of these preparations? Does that not suggest a lack of communication between my hon. Friend's Department, the education authorities and the schools? Will he therefore take emergency measures to get this message across?

Mr. Roberts

I do not think that that can be right. In written answers to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) I have listed the GCSE inset seminars that took place between 20 January and 7 April this year. Notice of the start of the new examination course was given as far back as June 1984, explanatory leaflets were issued in January 1985, national criteria have been published and a great deal of money has been spent on seminars, training materials, inset funding and books.

Mr. Barry Jones

This is a good examination which is to make a lame start because of a tight-fisted Government. Will the Minister make available additional cash and give more time off to teachers so that they are able to prepare for the examination? There is a morale crisis among teachers and very great worry among parents, who are upset by the shortage of textbooks, equipment and teachers. Headmasters of high schools throughout Wales are anxious and are looking to the Minister for initiatives that will result in additional money and teachers.

Mr. Roberts

A will and a commitment are needed by all concerned to go ahead with the start of this examination course. I was glad to hear the hon. Gentleman commend it. We have spent £45,000 on seminars for teacher preparation and we are to spend an additional £15,000 on further seminars. A sum of £150,000, to be spent on training materials, is under consideration. Inset funding has received £427,000, at a rate of grant of 90 per cent. I have already given details of the amount of money to be spent on books and materials during the next two years. I am entitled to repeat that that kind of financial commitment represents unprecedented expenditure on a course of this kind.