§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the present number of teachers in primary and secondary schools in England and Wales; what is the target number for 1980; and what is his estimate of average class size in each sector by 1980.
§ Mr. ArmstrongAbout 425,000 in March 1974. Having regard to the continuing fall in the number of births, my right hon. Friend does not think it necessary to plan for more than about 510,000 teachers in the next seven or eight years. The average size of classes in each sector will depend both upon the number of pupils and the distribution of teachers between them—a matter on which the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers has been asked to advise.
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