§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the supply of qualified men to teach science and mathematics in schools is slowly decreasing; and what steps she is taking to overcome this.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe supply is not decreasing. As the hon. Member will have noted from my reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 23rd October, this year more graduates in these subjects than last year completed courses of professional training and have obtained or are seeking posts in maintained schools. Further, the number of men and women teachers with86W providing dinners at the last available date, with comparative figures for the same date in 1950 and 1951.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe following figures relate to maintained primary and secondary schools other than boarding, special or nursery schools, for which it is not possible, from the information available. to distinguish free dinners from those provided on payment.
degrees in mathematics and science employed in maintained secondary schools providing courses up to the standard of the General Certificate of Education and in direct grant grammar schools rose from 9,381 in September, 1951, to 9,642 in September, 1952. The schools still, however, need more teachers of this kind than they can recruit and I will continue to do all I can to help them.