HC Deb 16 December 1912 vol 45 cc1132-4W
Mr. PIRIE

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he would give the figures for the Scottish educational session, 1911–12, showing the average number of pupils in attendance at the first and second year's classes of the intermediate course, the number of those presented for the intermediate certificate, and the number of certificates awarded?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

During 1910–11 the average attendance of pupils in the first year of the intermediate course in higher grade schools was 10,373 and of pupils in the second year 7,382. The figures for 1911–12 are not yet complete. The average attendance of pupils in the first and second years of the intermediate course in schools under the regulations as to Grants to secondary schools cannot be stated separately without communicating with the schools in question.

The statistics as to the intermediate certificate are as follows:—

—— 1911. 1912.
Presented. Passed. Presented. Passed.
Higher Grade Schools 3,845 2,998 3,748 3,006
Schools other than Higher Grade Schools 2,333 1,799 2,294 1,755
Total 6,178 4,797 6,042 4,761

Mr. PIRIE

asked the Secretary for Scotland the annual numbers of intermediate pupils who have been granted bursaries since the institution of the new system; how many of such bursars have been pre- sented for the intermediate certificate, and how many of them have taken the certificate; and would he give similar figures for the years that the previous system was in force?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

It is not possible to give these figures without an expenditure of labour on the part of the secondary education committees altogether disproportionate to the value of the information to be obtained.

Mr. PIRIE

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain county committees allocate their secondary education bursaries before either the results of the intermediate certificate are known or the junior studentships have been decided; and, as this causes uncertainty and subsequent confusion, would he consider what steps could be taken to avoid such uncertainty and confusion?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his practically identical question of 22nd April last.