HL Deb 11 June 1973 vol 343 cc522-3WA
LORD MERRIVALE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the recent cultural revolution in the Malagasy Republic which started with the official opening of the 1973 Academic Year whereby for one, the English language in secondary education has been placed on an equal footing with the French language, whether they would consider:

  1. (a)increasing the number of Malagasy students who are on teacher training courses in this country; and
  2. (b)increasing the number of teachers of English in the English Language Centre in Tananarive, bearing in mind the needs of the University and lycées; and the number of experienced volunteer English teachers in the Provinces.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE(BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

We are providing increased assistance in the teaching of English. This year fifteen Malagasy students are being trained in this country and it is hoped that the number will increase to twenty-five in the coming academic year. A Lecturer in Linguistics and English Language is being recruited for the University in Tananarive and an additional British expert for the English Language Teaching Centre. Books and equipment will also be provided and financial assistance is being given for the extension of the Centre's premises.

There seems little prospect of any increase in the number of volunteer teachers of English, as there is at present a shortage of suitable candidates. In allocating those who are available, the British Volunteer Programme, an independent body, must have regard not only to the needs of the Malagasy Republic but also to those of other Francophone developing countries.