§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she is satisfied that sufficient job opportunities will be available to all students who take National Nursery Examination Board courses on completion of their training; and what plans she has for the expansion of nursery education;
(2) how many students have attended and completed National Nursery Examination Board courses in Staffordshire during each of the last three years; and how many will attend courses during the next educational year;
(3) how many students have attended National Nursery Examination Board courses in England and Wales during each of the last three years; and how
60W
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe relevant information is as follows.
Loans under the Fire Precautions (Loans) Act 1973: As local authorities no longer require to obtain specific consent from my Department for any loans of this kind, I have no more up-to-date information about them.
many places will be available in the next educational year;
(4) what is the estimated number of students who have successfully completed National Nursery Examination Board courses in England and Wales who have taken up employment with local education authorities, the health services and private employment in each of the last three years.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the numbers of students being trained on National Nursery Examination Board courses, nor for their subsequent employment. The courses prepare students for a variety of careers: as assistants in nursery education; for employment in nurseries, hospitals and clinics; and for posts with private families. My right hon. Friend is committed to the expansion of nursery education as fast as resources permit.
The number of students on National Nursery Examination Board courses during each of the past three years was:
October 1975 11,081 October 1976 11,175 October 1977 10,853 The indications for October 1978 art that there will be a normal intake in the 61W region of some 5,500 students. The number of courses offered—140—remains unchanged.
The number of successful students in the examination in each of the past three years was:
1975 4,862 1976 4,771 1977 4,977 (1978 figures are not yet available.) No central record is kept of the destination of those who qualify.
The numbers of students who attended NNEB courses in Staffordshire in each of the last three years, and the provisional figures for 1978–79, are:
1975–76 241 1976–77 276 1977–78 281 1978–79 301 103 students qualified in 1975–76 and 101 in 1976–77. The figures for 1977–78 are not yet available.