§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will ask Her Majesty's inspectors to investigate the implications for educational efficiency of the current shortage of nursery and infant teachers in the London borough of Newham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Government are aware that some local education authorities have had difficulties recently in recruiting enough teachers to meet the particular needs of nursery and infant pupils. An expansion of the primary training system was begun in 229W 1982 in anticipation of the upturn in the total primary population due this year, and we have sought to encourage more of those new students to specialise in the teaching of younger pupils. Recent information suggests that the supply of such specialists should now be increasing nationally although I accept that in some areas additional local initiatives may be necessary in order to boost supply.
The programme of work of Her Majesty's inspectorate is for it to determine, taking into account its own judgments about national and local inspection needs, its responsibility to advise the holder of my office, and others, on the health of theeducation system generally, and the many calls upon its manpower and time. I do not seek directly to intervene in the drawing up of the inspection programme. I have, however, brought the hon. Member's concerns to the attention of the senior chief inspector.
§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will ask Her Majesty's inspectors to conduct an investigation into the implications for educational standards and efficiency at Nelson junior school, Newham, of the current shortage of teachers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephI have received a complaint under sections 68 and 99 of the Education Act 1944 about staffing problems at the school. This is being followed up in the normal way by the Department. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the investigations are completed.