§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the number of syllabuses approved by the Secondary Examination Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephTeachers are understably concerned to receive approved GCSE syllabuses as soon as possible. I share their concern. The Secondary Examinations Council has made good progress in its demanding task of scrutinising and approving some 250 syllabuses in a few months: well over 100 syllabuses have so far been approved. The Secondary Examinations Council expects to have approved by Easter about two thirds of all syllabuses submitted and is on course to approve the remainder on schedule, that is by the end of April.
The first approved GCSE syllabuses are now in schools, and others are following.