Oral Answers to Questions — Education. – in the House of Commons am ar 29 Mai 1924.
asked the President of the Board of Education whether, considering his removal of the restrictions on free places in secondary schools and giving school authorities liberty to raise the percentage of these free places to 40 per cent., he will state what are the conditions prescribed for the grant of a free place; and whether he requires a certificate from the master of the elementary school that, in his opinion, the child whom he recommends for a free place in a secondary school will be capable of passing on to a university if given the opportunity?
The rules governing the award of free places are set out in the Appendix to the Regulations for Secondary Schools, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. A certificate of capacity of passing on to a university is not required.
asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, in the Maes-y-Cwmmer area, Monmouthshire, 200 children passed the examination which qualified them for a place in a secondary school, but that places could only be found for 35 of them, and that these children are prevented through this cause from receiving this higher education, notwithstanding the fact that many of their parents are prepared to pay for them; and will he take steps to see that some temporary accommodation is made for this purpose until permanent schools are provided?
I am aware that the demand for secondary school accommodation in the Rhymney Valley has been for some time in excess of the supply. The Board, however, have recently sanctioned the provision of a new secondary school for 150 children at Rhymney in a commodious house purchased by the local education authority, and I understand that this school will be opened in September next. A classroom for 30 children was also added to the Rhymney Valley secondary school last November with the approval of the Board, and I hope that this increased provision of secondary school places will materially relieve the pressure on the existing accommodation.