§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the terms of reference of the school curriculum development committee; whether it will be able to receive representations from individuals and organisations; and if he will be making any suggestions as to its initial programme of work.
§ Mr. DunnThe objects of the school curriculum development committee will be to promote education by supporting curriculum development relevant to the needs of school education in England and Wales and for that purpose:
- (a) to inform itself of curriculum development being undertaken by other persons or bodies;
- (b) to review and evaluate such work with particular reference to the likely future needs of the schools education system and thereby to identify what further curriculum development work is, in the committee's judgment, essential;
- (c) to undertake, and to assist others to undertake, such essential curriculum development work; and
645 - d to disseminate, and to promote dissemination of, the results of curriculum development work whether carried out by itself or others.
The committee will be free to receive representations from individuals and organisations. My right hon. Friend will wish from time to time to suggest work which the committee might undertake. For example, he and the local authority associations will be inviting the committee, once it is formally established, to take over responsibility for certain projects now funded by the Schools Council.