§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he gives to local education authorities on methods of teaching primary school pupils to read; and what representations he has received on this subject.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. Friend has published attainment targets and programmes of study for English which cover the teaching of reading to primary schoolchildren. I do not, however, give guidance on the teaching methods to be used in this or any other subject. That is a matter for the schools, and the professional expertise of teachers.
Reading is naturally a subject of special interest and concern to parents and others, and one on which my right hon. Friend and I frequently receive representations.
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§ Mr. MacGregorOn 31 March 1987, the latest date for which information is available, the proportions of head and deputy head teacher posts in primary schools in England which were held by women were 47 and 61 per cent. respectively and in secondary schools in England were 17 and 31 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the proportions of female teachers in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools.
§ Mr. MacGregorOn 31 March 1987, the latest date for which information is available, the percentages of full-time qualified teachers in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in England who were female were 80 and 47 per cent. respectively.