HC Deb 08 November 1988 vol 140 cc117-8W
14. Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is in a position to make a statement on the progress of the working parties on the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

The three subject working groups which my right hon. Friend has set up have reported in good time to enable us to press ahead with our national curriculum objectives.

27. Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further progress he has made on the introduction of the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham).

40. Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has received to the publication of the national curriculum working party report on mathematics.

54. Mr. John Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what responses he has had thus far to the report of the national curriculum working party on science.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend is awaiting advice on his proposals for mathematics and for science from the National Curriculum Council which has statutory responsibility for consultation. The proposals were based on the recommendations of the mathematics and science working groups. The NCC's advice is due by the end of November.

43. Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the suitability of school teachers' qualifications and training in relation to the implementation of the national curriculum from September 1989.

Mrs. Rumbold

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 4 November at column783.

45. Mr. Bill Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has made any estimate of the number and type of teachers required to teach the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has made any estimates of the number and type of teachers required to teach the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

The national curriculum will change the pattern of demand for teachers. At secondary level, there will be additional demand for teachers in some subjects and a reduction in others. Work on estimating future demand continues all the time, but firm estimates cannot be made until we have a clear picture of national curriculum requirements subject by subject.