§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the percentage increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in each sector, primary or secondary, of the educational system for which he is responsible in each of the past three years for which figures are available; and whether the future figures are expected to go up or down.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested in respect of maintained primary and secondary schools in England is given below.
Primary Secondary January Pupils per qualified teacher Percentage change from previous year Pupils per qualified teacher Percentage change from previous year 1978 23.6 — 16.9 — 1979 23.1 -2.1 16.7 -1.2 1980 22.7 -1.7 16.6 -0.6 1981 22.6 -0.4 16.6 No change The numbers of teachers assumed in the Government's public expenditure White Paper, Cmnd. 8494, for the period up to 1984–85 fall broadly in line with total pupil numbers, but with some tightening of staffing standards especially as the balance of pupil population continues to shift to older age groups.