§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to encourage female school students to study subjects likely to lead to high earning power. [16967]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisAll pupils are required to study the National Curriculum from 5 to 16, which together with other elements of the broader school curriculum, prepares pupils of both genders for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. Teachers and other staff in schools offer information and advice on future options as part of their role under the Education Act 1996 to prepare pupils for adult life. The primary role of giving advice and guidance to young people considering learning options from 14 to 19 and beyond, including their implications for employment, falls to Connexions and careers services.
The Connexions service works with young people between 13 and 19 in and out of schools and subsumes the role of the Careers service. Both the Connexions and Careers services provide support to young people by working to overcome any barriers to full achievement and provide comprehensive and impartial information, advice and guidance on learning and career options from age 14. Their staff are required to maintain a full and up-to-date appreciation of how to provide services in ways which challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity, and which engender this awareness in their clients.
An Equal Opportunities Commission Research Report "Gender Equality and the Careers Service" was published in 1999. It gave case studies of good practice and made recommendations for the enhancement of the work of Careers services in this field.