§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the amount of expenditure and the activities to be supported through education support grants in the financial year 1987–88.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsSubject to Parliament's approval of regulations which will amend the Education Support Grant Regulations 1984, excluding midday supervision in schools, it is intended that expenditure of some £3.3 million will be supported by education support grant in 1987–88. We propose to devote £1.8 million of this total to support continuing expenditure from projects first approved in earlier years. About £1.5 million will be available to support expenditure on new activities and on new starts on existing activities. Grant will be paid at the rate of 70 per cent. of the amount of expenditure approved for support.
The following tables show the activities on which expenditure is committed in 1987–88 and the new and extended activities which we propose should rank for education support grant in Wales in 1987–88; the amount of expenditure for each; a provisional assessment of the number of LEAs likely to be supported and the length of support. The precise division of the £1.5 million available for new and extended activities and the distribution among authorities will not be settled until applications have been received and considered.
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Education Support Grants Financial Year 1987–88 Category New expenditure envisaged to be supported Provisional Assessment of number of LEAS to be supported Likely length of support £ million 1. The provision of retraining and updating courses directed towards the needs of industry and commerce 0.09 2 2 years 2. The development of the use of information technology at further education establishments by providing equipment, preparing or providing course material and computer software and training teachers at such establishments 0.52 all 1 year 3. The planning development and co-ordination of provision to meet the educational needs including the need for guidance, of those who are unemployed (excluding those currently receiving full-time education). 0.03 2 or 3 2 years 4. The provision of data processing equipment, accessories and software for use in the management of further education establishments. 0.07 all or most 1 year 5. The provision of computerised learning aids at further education establishments for use by students with special educational needs. 0.08 all 1 year 6. The strengthening of college-employer links to improve the quality and relevance of NAFE provision. 0.04 2 or 3 1 year 7. Meeting the educational needs of persons from ethnic minorities, promoting harmony between different racial groups or in other ways preparing persons/or life in a multiethnic society. 0.03 1 2–3 years 8. The provision to schools of books and equipment for use on courses leading to an examination for the General Certificate of Secondary Education. 0.59 all 2 years 9. Promoting social responsibility in children. 0.05 1 or 2 a maximum of 5 years.
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Committed expenditure on activities begun in earlier years Category Committed Expenditure to be supported through ESG in 1987–88 Number of LEAS to be supported Total length of support £ million The teaching of mathematics in schools 0.41 8 4 years The teaching of science and technology as part of primary education 0.30 7 4 years Pilot projects to develop records of achievement for young people in secondary schools and colleges 0.17 WJEC 5 years Pilot projects to improve the quality of education provided in primary schools in urban areas 0.10 3 5 years Pilot projects to improve the quality or the range of the curriculum provided in primary schools in rural areas 0.17 4 5 years Pilot projects to meet the educational needs of those from ethnic minorities 0.03 1 up to 5 years Action within the education service to combat the misuse of drugs 0.16 8 2 years Developing the knowledge and appreciation among pupils in schools in Wales, of the heritage and culture of Wales. 0.29 8 5 years The provision of retraining and updating courses directed towards the needs of industry and commerce (PICKUP) 0.07 6 up to 3 years The planning, development and co-ordination of provision to meet the educational needs, including the need for guidance of those who are unemployed (excluding those currently receiving full-time education) 0.12 6 2 years