§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to ensure that the reconstituted National Council for Vocational Qualifications consults the Secondary Education Council and other bodies to bring vocationally-oriented A and AS levels within the eventual new framework.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe National Council For Vocational Qualifications has not yet considered in detail the linkages and progression between its qualifications framework and A and AS levels, but the principle of such an association was clearly defined in Cmnd 9823 "Working Together— Education and Training". In recognition of the importance of such defined linkages, the Secondary Examinations Council has full observer status on the NCVQ, has a close day-to-day working relationship with the national council and its subgroups, and there are regular meetings between the chairmen of the two bodies. We expect such co-operation to continue when the SEC is replaced by the School Examinations and Assessment Council.
§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to ensure that opportunities within the proposed national curriculum will not only continue to exist for, but will expand, the potential for development education issues to be taught in schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldTopics such as development education may be taught through the relevant foundation subjects of the national curriculum where appropriate, or among the non-foundation subjects. The working groups drawing up attainment targets and programmes of study for foundation subjects are being reminded of the need to take account of related cross-curricular themes. It will he for schools to decide what to teach in the space available for non-foundation studies.