Technical Education in Britain

Abstract

IN presenting the Education Estimates for 1949–50 in the House of Commons on July 5, the Minister of Education, Mr. Tomlinson, referred to the imperative necessity of staffing the schools and colleges adequately in numbers and in quality, and said that the number of graduate teachers in schools is steadily increasing. While there are difficulties with teachers of science, the position is being closely watched and it is too early to say that the teaching of science in the schools of Britain is in jeopardy through a lack of good graduate recruits to the teaching profession. Of all further education, Mr. Tomlinson said he believes that technical education is to-day the most important ; in 1948 the Ministry approved final plans for projects for technical education to cost nearly £2 million, and preliminary plans for another £3·5 million. He said he is going ahead with the establishment of national colleges of technology wherever industry is prepared to co-operate, and five are already open. A further one at Bradford for wool has been approved in principle, as well as two others. Other problems in the higher technological field are being considered by the National Advisory Council on Education in Industry and Commerce in consultation with the University Grants Committee.