§ Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that out of 46,437 primary pupils who had qualified for enrolment in an advanced division, only 10,165, or about 22 per cent., obtained day school certificates, 9,361 lower and 804 higher; whether he can state the reasons for the low percentage mentioned; and what steps are proposed to be taken to increase the results of advanced division education?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question No. 30 of 24th June, 1930.
§ Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct the Education Department to send annually to each education committee complete statistics as to qualifying and advanced divisions examinations (during progressive years) for each school under the respective authorities, and request each authority to consider these results and how they may be improved from time to time?
Mr. ADAMSONWith regard to the first part of the question, I do not think that anything is to be gained by sending to education authorities large masses of information which are already in their possession. As to the second, it is to be assumed that the education authorities do consider these results and how they may be improved; I may add that the performance of each school comes under the periodic review of His Majesty's inspector for the district in the course of his normal duties.
§ Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state what are the five areas, and how many schools in each area, in which there is no formal test examination for senior division pupils under Article 17 of the Code of Regulations for Day Schools in Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that proper test examinations shall be held in these areas and schools in future?
Mr. ADAMSONThe education areas in which the schemes approved under Article 17 of the Code of Regulations for2154W Day Schools, 1923, make no provision for a uniform and formal qualifying or control test, and the number of primary schools in each, are as follows:
Schools. Aberdeenshire … … 219 Angus … … … 102 Bute … … … 20 Clackmannan … … … 14 Perth … … … 161 With regard to the second part of the question the arrangements for the promotion from the senior division are under the continuous supervision of the Department through their staff of inspectors and it does not, therefore, seem necessary to take any special steps to require a formal and uniform written test or examination.