Classroom Assistants

HC Deb 24 July 1998 vol 316 cc731-2W

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy for the creation of classroom assistants, indicating(a) the total amount of money made available for this purpose, (b) when the jobs will begin, (c) how such classroom assistants will be recruited, (d) what qualifications will be required and (e) the proposed rate of pay. [52121]

Mr. Wilson

I announced our plans for a major expansion in the employment of classroom assistants in primary schools on 14 July as part of our strategy for raising standards in schools. We are committed to achieving a ratio of one adult to every 15 pupils in the primary school system by 2002 and will employ up to 5,000 new classroom assistants to achieve this.

In the light of the decisions taken following the Comprehensive Spending Review this programme will receive funding of £66 million over 3 years from the Excellence Fund which will provide education authorities with assistance targeted on a series of measures, including this: £10 million will be available for assistants in 1999–2000, £20 million in 2000–01 and £36 million in 2001–02.

We would expect recruitment under the initiative to begin as soon as the new resources become available in April 1999 and as is practical, and for the numbers of assistants to grow as more funds become available each year. Local authorities have also been invited to participate in a pilot programme commencing in August this year. There will therefore be a small number of assistants recruited during 1998–99; and a number of authorities already employ some assistants.

Local authorities will be responsible for designing jobs, recruiting classroom assistants and providing training within general guidance which will be considered by a Scottish Office working group involving authorities, teachers, training providers and others. Recruitment methods will not be prescribed. The initiative will, however, provide opportunities for people from local communities.

Any entry requirements for classroom assistants' posts will be for local authorities to determine. However, the working group will consider what guidance should be given and will promote the development of relevant training, leading towards a qualification for classroom assistants.

Local authorities will also be responsible for determining rates of pay and other contractual conditions such as hours worked, in line with the nature of the posts created and local labour market conditions.