Education Programmes

HC Deb 25 February 1998 vol 307 cc355-6

6. Mr. St. Aubyn

If she will make a statement on the role of non-governmental organisations in delivering education programmes. [29615]

Mr. Foulkes

The delivery of universal basic education, which is one of our major priorities, is primarily the responsibility of Governments. However, we welcome the involvement of NGOs in the education sector. They have an important role to play in empowering local people to demand quality provision. They are also particularly effective in the education of excluded children, such as child workers, and in adult literacy programmes.

Mr. St. Aubyn

Is the Minister aware that the Project Trust, a successful NGO which, during 30 years, has sent 4,000 school leavers on projects teaching overseas, recently expressed concern that the work of such bodies might be hampered by the increasing cost of a university education for students who might not be able to afford to offer this volunteer work during their gap year?

Mr. Foulkes

We do not fund the Project Trust, but we recognise that it is a worthwhile, character-building organisation. I understand that the hon. Gentleman went on one of its volunteer programmes, so he eloquently demonstrates what a success it is.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Tony Lloyd)

Oh no he does not.

Mr. Foulkes

I must agree with my hon. Friend since it is his birthday today, on which I congratulate him.

We support voluntary service organisations such as International Voluntary Service and the Voluntary Service Overseas that send volunteers overseas. I was disappointed to see in The Observer on Sunday that there seems to be a downturn in the number of people volunteering to go overseas. We are now considering what can be done to encourage more people to volunteer to help in developing countries.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

My hon. Friend might recall that Labour's policy document on overseas development, "A World of Difference", argued that development studies should be introduced, by one means or another, to the national curriculum. What developments in secondary education has my hon. Friend to report?

Mr. Foulkes

The development awareness working group has been set up. Everyone who was invited by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to serve on it has agreed to do so. The first meeting will be on 31 March. I look forward to chairing it and hearing all the recommendations, which I hope will take forward what was included in that report and in our manifesto.

Mr. Ian Bruce

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman knows that many NGOs that work with street children are particularly involved in their education. Will his Department make it easier for British-based NGOs to bid for project funding from his Department to increase the effectiveness of that excellent work?

Mr. Foulkes

I recognise the hon. Gentleman's particular interest in this area and assure him that NGOs, particularly those working and based in developing countries, can apply through our country programmes for assistance. We will give them sympathetic consideration. [Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

The House will come to order. It is too noisy and we can hardly hear each other.