§ 23. Mr. Penhaligonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the prospects to date of the plans to introduce the general certificate of secondary education examination system.
§ 41. Mr. Coombsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether preparations for the introduction of the new general certificate of secondary education are still on schedule; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe preparations for the introduction of the GCSE are proceeding according to the timetable set by my right hon. Friend. The GCSE examining groups and the LEAs are well advanced in their preparations for the national programme of in-service training. In readiness for these training seminars, teachers' guides and videos have been made available to schools and colleges. Teachers are already in a position separately to begin their own preparations for the new exam nation courses.
§ 62. Mr. Hawksleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements have been made to assist teachers in the introduction of the new general certificate of secondary education examinations.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe Secondary Examinations Council has completed its work on teachers' guides an videos which have been distributed to schools and colleges. These form the common materials for seminars for all teachers of the GCSE, under a special programme of in-service support, which starts this month and which is designed to introduce teachers to the special GCSE requirements for their subject. A further programme of training, devoted to specific syllabuses and provided by the GCSE examining groups will follow later this year. The Government are contributing substantially towards the cost of all this activity.