HC Deb 11 December 1972 vol 848 cc38-41W
Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been put to her by the National College of Teachers of the Deaf regarding the in-service training of teachers of the deaf; and what replies she has sent.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

None. The National College of Teachers of the Deaf has made more general representations about educational provision for deaf and partially hearing children. These are under consideration.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the normal school leaving age is satisfactory for those attending special schools for the deaf; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs. Thatcher

Yes. A compulsory school age higher than 16 would not be appropriate for all deaf children; provision is available either in schools or further education establishments, beyond this age.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers holding the special qualification for teaching deaf children have, this year, left schools for the deaf to work in schools for hearing children.

Mrs. Thatcher

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many persons are now employed in various colleges in training students for the special qualification for teachers of the deaf; and how this figure compares with each of the last 10 years.

Mrs. Thatcher

Courses of specialist training for teachers of deaf and partially hearing children are provided at Lady Spencer-Churchill College of Education, at the University of Manchester Department of Audiology and Education of the Deaf, and at the University of London Institute of Education. At Lady Spencer-Churchill College, two members of staff are employed full time on the course, but other members of the college staff are also involved. The staffing of the University Departments is a matter for the Universities themselves. I understand that there are currently 10 full-time staff employed on the courses at Manchester and three at the London Institute. Figures for earlier years are not readily available.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of teachers in schools for the deaf do not hold the qualification to teach the deaf; and how this percentage compares with the position in each of the years 1957 to 1971.

Mrs. Thatcher

I regret that this information is not available. At any given time some teaching staff are in the process of obtaining an in-service qualification; certain other teachers—of craft, domestic and trade subjects—are not required to hold a special qualification.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many partially hearing children are at present attending special schools for the educationally deaf; and how many are attending schools for the partially hearing.

Mrs. Thatcher

In January, 1972, there were 122 partially hearing pupils in the 20 special schools for the deaf, and 600 in the six schools for the partially hearing. In addition there were 91 partially hearing pupils in the 22 schools catering for both the deaf and the partially hearing.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether she is satisfied that, following the reorganisation of local government, the new local education authorities will have an adequate number of places for deaf children; and if she will make a statement;

(2) if she will establish advisory councils on the special requirements of deaf children and to ensure that there is adequate provision for deaf children, and to diminish the inter-authority competition for the services of qualified teachers of the deaf;

(3) what plans she has for the construction of special schools for the deaf to make provision for the shifts of population and in the light of the building of new towns.

Mrs. Thatcher

Because deafness is comparatively rare in children educational provision needs to be planned on a regional rather than a local basis. I am considering promoting a series of regional conferences at which local education authorities would be invited to consider, with the voluntary bodies concerned, the needs for all types of handicap within their region. The timing of such conferences would depend, among other things, on the progress of local government reorganisation. The overall shortage of specially qualified teachers of the deaf is a separate issue; I am considering how the supply might be increased.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek to amend the Education (Blind and Deaf Children) Act 1893 in order to allow for smaller classes in keeping with the progress made in this connection for normal children.

Mrs. Thatcher

Regulations made under the Education Act 1944 prescribe 15 as the maximum class size for blind and 10 for deaf pupils, subject to certain exceptions. In practice, the average class sizes in special schools for these children are now well below these maxima; and I shall be issuing shortly a circular giving guidance about staffing special schools on a more flexible basis.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will move to provide for special emoluments for qualified teachers of the deaf with a view to attracting more recruits to the profession.

Mrs. Thatcher

Teachers with the special qualifications required for teaching deaf and partially-hearing children receive an extra increment on scale 1 in addition to the allowance of £175 payable to all assistant teachers in special schools or classes. Any change in these arrangements is a matter for the Burnham Committee.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will institute a special review of the careers of teachers of deaf children in order to establish whether the wastage is greater in this profession compared with the rest of the educational service; and what are the relative chances of promotion.

Mrs. Thatcher

I do not consider a special review necessary. The wastage rate of teachers from schools for the deaf and partially hearing runs at approximately 6 per cent. per annum which is in line with that in the teaching profession as a whole. I have no evidence to suggest that promotion prospects in this field compare unfavourably with those in special schools generally, particularly in view of the extension of the peripatetic services and the increased number of partially hearing units.