§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the total increase in the school population when the school leaving age is raised to 16 in 1972; how many additional school places will be required and how many provided; how many additional teachers will be necessary in secondary classes; and how he intends to recruit this number.
§ Mr. RossThe number of additional pupils directly attributable to the raising of the school leaving age is forecast at some 9,500 at January, 1973 and some 30,000 at January, 1974. The provision of additional accommodation is already under way, and I have recently asked education authorities to let me know what further building will need to be started for the purpose in the current 5-year programme. As my hon. Friend will know, I am at present reviewing the method of ascertaining the staffing requirements of secondary schools, but on the basis of an overall pupil/teacher ratio of 14.5:1 the numbers of teachers required for the additional pupils attributable to the raising of the leaving age would be about 650 at January, 1973 and about 2,100 at January, 1974. Recruitment to teaching will continue to be encouraged, and I am examining ways of deploying teachers more effectively.