HC Deb 01 August 1978 vol 955 cc222-3W
Mr. Gray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many local authorities in Scotland have not yet implemented the provisions of the Education (Mentally Handicapped Children) (Scotland) Act;

(2) what is the pupil/teacher ratio for mentally handicapped classes in each of the regions of Scotland;

(3) how many specially trained teachers are now employed in the teaching of mentally handicapped children in each of the Scottish regions;

(4) how many mentally handicapped children between the ages of five and 16 years are now receiving a form of education in each of the Scottish regions;

(5) how many mentally handicapped children between the ages of five and 16 years are still not receiving a form of education in each of the regions of Scotland.

Mr. McElhone

Education authorities have been responsible for the education of all mentally handicapped children of school age, including those severely mentally handicapped children who were formerly outside the scope of the education system, since May 1975. Preliminary impressions from a current sur

Region Pupils* (all ages) With special qualification Teachers† Others Total Pupil/Teacher ratio
Borders 168 5.1 10.2 15.3 1:11
Central 588 20.4 44.0 64.4 1:9
Dumfries and Galloway 267 15.3 16.5 31.8 1:8
Fife 627 23.0 34.5 57.5 1:11
Grampian 1,055 54.0 69.6 123.6 1:8
Highland 414 17.2 22.0 39.2 1:11
Lothian 1,197 54.0 74.7 128.7 1:9
Strathclyde 6,109 292.2 269.6 561.8 1:11
Tayside 614 33.0 43.7 76.7 1:8
Orkney 13 1.2 1.2 1:11
Shetland 8 1.4 1.4 1:6
Western Isles 55 4.0 4.1 8.1 1:7
Scotland 11,115 518.2 591.5 1,109.7 1:10
The figures are derived from the census return relating to September 1977, and are provisional pending completion of statistical analysis. They include children in special schools and classes, former day care centres and hospitals.
* Separate figures for pupils aged 5.16 are not available.
† Numbers of teachers are given as whole.time equivalents.