§ 2. Mr. Nieldasked the Minister of Education if, in view of the shortage of teachers, she will consider accepting under the Emergency Training Scheme, persons over 35 years of age who are anxious to be trained as teachers.
§ Miss Wilkinson:Candidates above the normal age limit of 35 are admitted to the Scheme if they can provide evidence of exceptional suitability.
§ 5. Mr. Goochasked the Minister of Education whether she will introduce a teacher trainee scheme under which candidates who are accepted for ultimate admission to an emergency training college would immediately be referred to the local education authority as trainees to be placed in suitable schools and would, in this capacity, receive appropriate financial aid from her Department.
§ Miss Wilkinson:Following consultations between officers of my Department and representatives of the local education authorities and the teachers, I intend in the near future to issue a statement for the guidance of local education authorities and others concerned about the period during which candidates selected for the Emergency Training Scheme will have to wait for admission to a training college. This statement will also refer to the various ways in which such candidates might best spend the waiting period.