HC Deb 01 May 1913 vol 52 cc1397-8W
Mr. GRANT

asked the President of the Board of Education if the Board of Education have recommended that art teachers in the various localities should hold examinations and grant certificates for industrial design for work of a less advanced and comprehensive character than required by the Board of Education; if so, whether the Board has taken any steps to standardise such local examinations; and, if not, what value the Board considers can ensue from certificates thus granted?

Mr. J. A. PEASE

The Board have invited the council of the Society of Art Masters to consider whether there would be an advantage in the issue by schools of art of certificates to students who have satisfactorily completed courses of study in industrial design. Such certificates could not be completely standarised, nor is it desirable that they should be, in view of the varying local conditions of the industries depending upon art. But the Board would be prepared to endorse certificates as evidence that the courses have been conducted under satisfactory conditions. It is obvious that the value of any school certificate must largely depend upon the merit of the instruction given in a school and the consequent reputation which the school obtains.

Mr. GRANT

asked the President of the Board of Education how many persons have been appointed or promoted to be inspectors of schools of art during the past five years; and what proportion of them have had experience as headmasters in the organisation and management of schools of art?

Mr. PEASE

Two inspectors of schools of art have been appointed during the past five years. Neither of them has had experience as a headmaster of a school of art, but both have had experience in art teaching.

Mr. GRANT

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will direct that the exhibition of national competition works be held this summer in a gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum, suitable for adequate exhibition of the works and for the convenience of the public?

Mr. PEASE

The exhibition of works submitted for the National Competition will be held this year in the North Court of the Victoria and Albert Museum.