HC Deb 13 July 1981 vol 8 c307W
Mr. Alexander

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many young people left secondary school in July 1980 without gaining one O-level or CSE pass; and what proportion of the total number of school leavers this group constituted.

Dr. Boyson

There were an estimated 91,000 English school leavers during the academic year 1979–80 who had gained no graded result at O-level or CSE. This represents 12 per cent. of all leavers.

Mr. Alexander

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many young people left school in July 1980 technically illiterate, being unable to read or write to any standard that would be acceptable to a prospective employer; and what proportion these were of the total number of school leavers.

Dr. Boyson

This information is not available.