HC Deb 24 July 1958 vol 592 cc51-2W
62 and 63. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Minister of Education (1) how many local education authorities have not yet provided General Certificate of Education courses in their secondary modern schools; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that such authorities implement the spirit and the letter of the 1944 Act;

(2) whether he will issue a directive to local education authorities that a certain minimum provision must be made in the secondary modern schools for the taking of General Certificate of Education courses and that, where such provision is not made for any good reason, the education authority concerned should facilitate the transfer to a neighbouring authority of any child who would otherwise be deprived of the education for which its parents think the child is fitted.

Sir E. Boyle

My right hon. Friend does not collect statistical information about the widely differing courses provided in secondary schools. He will continue to do all in his power to assist local education authorities to provide courses extending beyond the statutory leaving age, including General Certificate of Education courses, where appropriate, but they must be left to decide how best to fulfil their duty of seeing that their schools offer the variety of courses which the differing needs of their pupils require.

Dr. King

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities do not provide any opportunities for children to take the General Certificate of Education in their secondary modern schools; and if he will give the names of these authorities.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

This information is not available.

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