§ Mrs. MacDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the rate of turnover in teacher staffing in understaffed schools ; and what is his estimate of its effects on the stability of Scottish education ;
(2) what he plans to do to encourage teachers to seek employment in schools of serious teacher shortage when the present scheme for the designation of these schools terminates at the end of the 1973–74 school session.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) on 28th and 29th November.—[Vol. 865, c.173 and 219.]
Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase the special payment to teachers in designated schools in Scotland.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI will soon be putting proposals to the Scottish Teachers Salaries Committee regarding arrangements to be made when the present scheme ends next year.
Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will discuss with the teachers' professional associations the extent to which the acute shortage of secondary teachers in the west of Scotland would be alleviated by adjusting the school leaving age arrangements in areas where there is substantial part-time education ; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Gordon CampbellAny change in school leaving age arrangements would require legislation and is not, therefore, a measure which could be adopted to alleviate present staffing shortages. It would not in any case be desirable to make arrangements that would differ from one area to another. As I indicated on 6th November in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel)—[Vol. 863, c.139]—I have decided to review the present system of fixed school leaving dates in a year or so.