HC Deb 16 March 1944 vol 398 c421W
Sir L. Lyle

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will specify the duties which teachers are, at the present time, called on to perform, other than the actual imparting of knowledge to the children.

Mr. Butler

Teachers in common with other citizens are liable for war-time Civil Defence, fire guard and Home Guard duties. In the schools, besides their teaching duties and work directly connected therewith, such as the preparation of syllabuses and the keeping of registers and records, many teachers supervise school meals and help with the Milk in Schools Scheme, the success of which owes a great deal to their enthusiasm and spirit of service. Other voluntary duties undertaken at present are connected with national savings, the organisation of school salvage collection, the supervision of evacuated children's well-being, the running of holiday clubs and classes for those whose parents are engaged on war work, the supervision of children employed in agriculture and the measuring and recording of certain classes of children for additional clothing coupons. The conditions vary in different areas and schools, and sometimes paid or voluntary helpers afford relief from much of the non-teaching work undertaken by teachers elsewhere. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a Memorandum which my Department has issued to local education authorities recommending that such help should be available.