HC Deb 19 June 1947 vol 438 cc241-2W
74. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in the provision of a county college for deaf adolescents; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tomlinson

I am happy to say that the Sheffield local education authority has agreed to provide a boarding county college of sufficient size to meet the needs of all deaf adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18.

75. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the shortage of teachers in schools for handicapped children, he will bring to the notice of students in emergency and other training colleges the opportunities for careers in these schools.

Mr. Tomlinson

All students in training colleges are given information about special schools, as part of their study of the national system of education. I have also recently made special arrangements to ensure that the students in Emergency Training Colleges shall, so far as practicable, be given an opportunity of hearing about the opportunities for careers in the various types of schools for handicapped children.

76. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Minister of Education in how many schools for the deaf there is a shortage of qualified teachers of the deaf; and what steps he is taking to remedy the defect.

Mr. Tomlinson

There is an overall shortage of some 35 teachers in schools for the deaf. Teachers employed in these schools either possess or are in process of obtaining the special qualifications required of teachers of the deaf. Visits by His Majesty's Inspectors to all training colleges are being arranged to describe the interest and opportunities of service in schools for the deaf and the means of obtaining qualifications for teaching deaf children. The Department of Manchester University which provides for the training of teachers for work in deaf schools has agreed to admit substantially increased numbers of students this year.