§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about preparations for the general certificate of secondary education.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe first GCSE courses start in schools next term. A thorough programme of training and preparation for all teachers of the GCSE has been taking place throughout this year and will continue over the next year or so. This has enabled teachers to prepare for the first examination courses with the guidance of the GCSE syllabuses available in schools. Substantial resources have already been directed, by local authorities and the Government, to books and equipment for the GCSE, amounting on average to 14,000 per school in this financial year alone.