§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what training is recommended by his Department for teachers of pupils suffering from Down's syndrome.
§ Mr. DunnAll teachers in maintained schools must have qualified status, but except in the case of teachers of deaf, partially hearing or blind pupils, no further qualifications are required. A number of courses are available leading to specialist qualifications in special664W education. However, it is for local education authorities to decide whether to recruit particular individuals as teachers of children with special educational needs, and what qualifications to require.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance his Department gives to education authorities regarding provisions to be made for the education of pupils with Down's syndrome.
§ Mr. DunnAdvice to assist local education authorities in revising and reviewing their procedures in the light of the Education Act 1981 in order to secure that adequate provision is made for all children with special educational needs was contained in the Department's circular 1/83 issued jointly with the DHSS on 31 January 1983. The circular should be read with DES circular 8/81 which explains the provisions of the Act. I am sending the hon. Member copies of both these documents. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for special education provided by education authorities in Scotland.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many Down's syndrome children are being educated in ordinary nursery, primary and secondary schools; and what proportion that number is of all school age children who suffer from Down's syndrome;
(2) how many education authorities teach Down's syndrome children in special schools.
§ Mr. DunnThis information is not collected by my Department. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for special education provided by education authorities in Scotland.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the extent to which the aims of the Education Act 1981 relating to education for Down's syndrome children are being met.
§ Mr. DunnThe statistical returns submitted to my Department by schools and local education authorities have never recorded separately the number of Down's syndrome children or the details of the educational arrangements made for them. Accordingly no assessment can he made of the extent to which the aims of the Education Act 1981 are being met for children with this particular disability.