HC Deb 05 August 1971 vol 822 cc353-5W
Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list the countries of the European Economic Community which maintain selection for secondary education.

Mr. van Straubenzee

According to the 1970 edition of "Education in Europe—A Guide to Schools Systems", issued by the Council for Cultural Co-operation of the Council of Europe, all of the countries of the E.E.C. have an element of selection in their secondary education. France is working towards a comprehensive system up to the age of 15. The publication should be referred to for precise details for each country.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what implications for British universities would be involved from the proposal to standardise the recognition of degrees and diplomas within the European Economic Community.

Mr. van Straubenzee

I know of no proposal to standardise the recognition of degrees and diplomas within the European Economic Community. The Treaty of Rome refers only tomutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other qualifications

in the context of freedom to practise a profession or calling in another country. The implications of the proposals to implement this part of the Treaty are being studied.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals are currently being made by the member countries of the European Economic Community to standardise secondary school leaving certificates, in the context of the right of establishment and what effect these will have on British secondary school examinations.

Mr. van Straubenzee

I know of no such proposals.

Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list the pupil/teacher ratios of secondary schools in the United Kingdom and the Six.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Figures given in the U.N.E.S.C.O. Year Book 1969, relating to the "second level" of general education, enable the following numbers of pupils per teacher to be derived:

1967
Belgium 7.5
France 12.2
Federal Republic of Germany 19.0
Italy 12.1
Luxembourg 13.4
Netherlands 18.5
United Kingdom 16.7

These figures cover a wider range than secondary schools alone and the education systems of the various countries also have salient differences which can affect the comparability of these figures. The U.N.E.S.C.O. figures appear to include part-time teachers as actual numbers of teachers. Care must be exercised in any use made of them.

Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will list the nations of the European Economic Community which provide nursery education for children aged three to five years, either on a full-time or part-time basis;

(2) which of the countries of the European Economic Community practise streaming in primary schools.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will list the minimum statutory school leaving age in each of the member countries of the European Economic Community;

(2) if she will list the statutory minimum years of schooling in each of the member countries of the European Economic Community.

Nursery education for some 3–5 year olds Practice streaming in primary schools Minimum school leaving age (full-time education) Minimum years of schooling
Belgium Yes No 14 8
Federal Republic of Germany Yes No 15 9
France Yes No 16 10
Italy Yes No 14 8
Luxembourg For 4–6 year olds No 15 9
Netherlands Yes No 14 8

Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list the nations of the European Economic Community which insist on professionally trained teachers of children in nursery schools.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has to increase the number of teachers taking professional courses in the teaching of French, consequent upon United Kingdom entry to the European Economic Community.

Mrs. Thatcher

There is a welcome increase in the number of language graduates applying for initial training this year. For non-graduate students taking French in colleges of education, I have encouraged special arrangements for them to spend part of their course in France under exchange and other schemes. For the last year I have been promoting the development of intensive courses for serving teachers of French in educational establishments throughout the country to meet the growing need for such teachers in primary schools and the lower forms of secondary schools stimulated by the Schools Council's project. The demand for such courses is likely to increase upon United Kingdom entry to the E.E.C.