HC Deb 11 December 1958 vol 597 cc102-4W
Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what action he proposes to take to recruit, by 1960, the additional 12,000 teachers, in training, he has asked the training colleges to accept; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir E. Boyle

It is not proposed to increase the number of teachers in training by 12,000 by 1960. My right hon. Friend is anxious that the training colleges should continue to attract a good entry and considers that the Government's policy as set out in the recent White Paper will be a great help in securing this result: but the number of training college places is being increased primarily in order to make room for the three year course, and he does not consider that any special measures to attract candidates are needed on this account.

84. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education on what estimate of the future trend of the birth rate he bases his decisions regarding the future supply of trained teachers.

Sir E. Boyle

On the reasons why my right hon. Friend decided that the right immediate course was to add 12,000 places at the training colleges by the autumn of 1962 I have nothing to add to the answer he gave the hon. Member on 13th November. Estimates supplied to him by the Government Actuary are that births may average 710,000 a year for 1958 to 1962.

71. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what are the names of local education authorities who employ as teachers, grammar school students awaiting entrance to a training college; and, in view of the deteriorating staffing position in these areas, what proposals he has for a part-time education service.

Sir E. Boyle

About 100 local education authorities employ as temporary teachers young men and women who have left school and are awaiting entry to training colleges. My right hon. Friend is not aware that the staffing position is deteriorating in these areas and does not consider that there is any need to contemplate part-time schooling.

Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Education (1) how many vacancies for teachers of science and mathematics there were in grammar, technical, and secondary modern schools,

Period and types of school Number of new places provided by:
Major projects Minor projects
Started Completed Started Completed
1st July, 1945, to 31st October, 1951:
Primary 8,450 4,070 Not Known Not Known
Secondary Modern 5,170* 3,520*
Grammar 120 120
Technical
1st November, 1951,to 30th September, 1958:
Primary 5,520 8,580 3,945 3,905
Secondary Modern 6,660 4,740 585 495
Grammar 2,655 720 90 90
Technical 1,425 900 285 225
* These include places in huts built specially for the raising of the school leaving age in 1947.

respectively, at the latest date for which information is available;

(2) how many teachers of science and mathematics there were in grammar, technical, and secondary modern schools, respectively, who were not fully qualified for the work at the latest date for which information is available.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I cannot yet add anything to my reply to the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. M. Stewart) on 6th November, but I hope to have further information early in the New Year.

Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of unqualified teachers employed by local education authorities in 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1958 until the latest available date, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

4,968 on 31st March, 1955, 5,220 in 1956 and 5,661 in 1957. The figures for 1958 are not yet available. I have nothing to add to my answer to the right hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 6th November.