§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children under the age of 18 years were designated as ESN (S) in the years 1970 to 1975; and what are the predicted number of such children for 1975 to 1979.
§ Miss Joan LestorInformation is not collected by my Department in the form asked for, and what is collected relates to the period since local education authorities assumed responsibility for the education of ESN (S) children in 1971. The numbers of these children aged 2–19 in special schools, including schools in hospitals for the mentally handicapped, for the years 1972 to 1975 are as follows:
1972 27,814 1973 31,995 1974 32,441 1975 32,391 In addition, about 1,800 ESN (S) children currently receive education in other ways, mainly through home tuition or in independent schools.
Projections for 1976 to 1979, based on the number of new special school places expected to come into use, are:
1976 33,000 1977 33,900 1978 34,600 1979 35,200
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is 328W the number of teachers who have qualified to teach ESN (S) children since 1972; and what are the numbers expected to qualify in 1975, 1976 and 1977.
§ Miss Joan LestorNo special qualification is required of teachers of mentally handicapped children in maintained schools in England and Wales. Initial training courses with special emphasis on mental handicap are, however, provided. The numbers of teachers who have successfully completed them are:
1972 37 1973 103 1974 219 Estimated figures for subsequent years are:
1975 290 1976 340 1977 390
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will indicate how the general contraction in teacher training is affecting the output of teachers qualified to teach ESN (S) children.
§ Miss Joan LesterDespite the general contraction in teacher training the number of places available annually for those wishing to train as teachers of mentally handicapped children has increased from 300 in 1971 to 550 in 1975. The Department has asked institutions to continue to give priority to the recruitment of students to these courses in 1976. The position for future years will be kept under review in consultation with the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers.