§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will postpone the introduction of the general certificate of secondary education in Wales until September 1987.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 13 March, at column 542.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers from each of the local education authorities in Wales are expected to participate in the special training courses for the General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations being organised under the guidance of the Welsh Office; and how many teachers from each of the Welsh local education authorities, respectively, have so far been on this course.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe programme to prepare teachers for the GCSE is being undertaken by the WJEC with the co-operation of local education authorities. All secondary teachers have opportunities to attend training seminars. I understand that the level of attendance at the first series of seminars organised by the WJEC was patchy but a further series is now under way.
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§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales on what date (a) the curriculum and (b) the guidelines for administration for the new general certificate of secondary education examinations were issued to each of the Welsh local education authorities.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI presume the hon. Gentleman is referring to the GCSE national criteria, copies of which were distributed to the WJEC, to local education authorities for onward transmission to secondary schools and further education establishments, and to other interested organisations, during the spring of 1985.