HC Deb 22 June 1961 vol 642 cc160-1W
84. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education how many women's training colleges are without full-time lecturers in mathematics.

Sir D. Eccles

Of the 62 general colleges for women only, 45 have full time lecturers in mathematics. Fourteen of the remainder have part-time mathematics lecturers and in the case of the other three other arrangements are made.

Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education how many women's training colleges are without full-time lecturers in physics, and chemistry, respectively.

Sir D. Eccles

My policy is to concentrate expensive resources and valuable teaching staff at certain colleges providing high level specialist courses mainly for intending secondary school teachers. The majority of women's colleges provide more general science courses, largely for intending primary school teachers. The following facilities are available to women students:

— Mixed colleges Women's colleges
Colleges providing specialist courses with full-time lecturers in chemistry and physics 8 5 (a)
Colleges providing main courses with full-time lecturers in chemistry or physics 11 6
Colleges with no full-time lecturers in chemistry or physics (b) 21 51

Note:—

  1. (a) Includes 3 women's colleges which share the facilities in nearby men's colleges.
  2. (b) Many of these colleges provide main courses in general science or in other science subjects such as biology and rural science.

Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education (1) how many women students were admitted to training colleges in 1960 without an O level General Certificate of Education qualification in mathematics; and what proportion this number formed of the total admission;

(2) how many men students were admitted to training colleges in 1960 without an O level General Certificate of Education qualification in mathematics; and what proportion this number formed of the total admission;

(3) what percentage of training college students admitted to colleges in 1960 had passed A level General Certificate of Education in mathematics.

Sir D. Eccles

Of about 4,060 men admitted to three year courses 330 (8 per cent.) had a pass in at least one mathematics subject at A level and 2,870 (71 per cent.) a pass at O level. Of about 10,250 women 335 (3.25 per cent.) had a corresponding pass at A level and 5,300 (51.5 per cent.) a pass at O level.