HC Deb 16 July 1970 vol 803 cc244-5W
52. Sir D. Walker-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will amend or supplement the Schools (Amendment) Regulations, 1968 to provide that unqualified teachers in primary schools, who have given good service and whose retention is desired by parents and teaching staff, may continue in their employment.

54. Mr. Coombs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will now consider providing some exceptions for the retention of long-service unqualified teachers, in particular those strongly recommended by local authorities and heads of schools.

Mrs. Thatcher

No. I think that the phasing out of unqualified teachers should continue as planned and I do not intend to amend the Regulations. I am however treating very sympathetically special recommendations from employing local education authorities that individual unqualified teachers with substantial service should be given qualified teacher status and so be able to stay in the schools.