HC Deb 28 May 1946 vol 423 c181W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Education the proportion of teachers over 50 years of age employed by the State and municipal schools; how many teachers have retired since the declaration of war in 1939 on breakdown pensions before reaching 60 years of age; how many teachers over 60 years of age have consented to stay on in the schools to help the present scarcity; and whether she is aware that the conditions resulting from inadequately warmed classrooms, multiplication of extraneous duties and large classes are pressing especially hardly on these older teachers.

Miss Wilkinson

It has not yet been possible to have a full census taken of serving teachers classified by their ages, but it is estimated that the proportion of teachers employed in grant-aided schools and educational institutions who are over the age of 50 is approximately one quarter; the number of teachers who have retired since September, 1939, on breakdown pensions before reaching the age of 60 is approximately 4,000; the number of teachers over 60 years of age who under normal conditions would probably have retired on pension but who are still in service is estimated at 3,000. The matters referred to in the last part of the Question affect all teachers and involve the general efficiency of the schools; as such they deserve and are receiving my careful attention.