§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information has been or will be sought by his Department in respect of the ability of deaf teachers to teach before publication of the replacement circular for circular 11/78; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnComments were invited in September 1984 from a wide range of interested organisations, including teachers' associations, local authority associations, teacher training institutions, organisations representing the deaf and partially hearing and other voluntary bodies, on the draft of a replacement for ciruclar 11/78. The responses received, including representations made about the guidance in the draft on the implications of defective hearing for teaching or teacher training, are currently under consideration. My right hon. Friend will consider the need for further consultation in the light of the responses. Decisions on the employment of individual teachers with hearing impairments, and on the admission to initial teacher training of students with such impairments, will continue to rest with the employing bodies and the training institutions respectively.