§ 32. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy towards the young men and women who entered the teaching profession during the golden years of expansion but who have no great inclination nor talent for teaching.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe observation which the hon. Member quotes from my recent speech formed part of an account of present conditions in some of our schools, but was not intended to suggest that there are easy solutions for the problems I was noting. Consideration of these is primarily a matter for the local education authorities, as employers of teachers; the teachers' associations also have a strong interest in them, through their concern both for the quality and public standing of their profession and for their members' interests. As in any occupation, teachers who judge that they have made a wrong choice of career 159W would be well advised to consider a change. Where the need is for more guidance and support, I am sure teachers will be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities for in-service training and similar facilities offered by local education authorities. Provision for increased expenditure on in-service training was made in the RSG settlement for 1977–78.