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23 Oct 2002 : Column 376W—continued
Dyslexic Teachers
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many dyslexic teachers there are in English schools; and how many there are in each county; [76134]
- (2) who is responsible for recruiting dyslexic teachers in English schools, broken down by type of school. [76135]
Mr. Miliband: Responsibility for the employment of teachers in maintained schools in England rests with Local Education Authorities and school governing bodies. It is for employers to determine whether a prospective teacher is medically fit to carry out their duties in accordance with the Education (Teachers' Qualifications and Health Standards) (England) Regulations 1999, as amended. Information on the number of dyslexic teachers employed at schools in England is not collected centrally.
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ASACs
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what circumstances a school will have a duty to admit a child living in an asylum seekers' accommodation centre. [76143]
Mr. Miliband [holding answer 21 October 2002]: The Department intends to ensure that the education of children in the accommodation centres will be provided, wherever possible, in-house. However, there may be some circumstances, for example, if a child has severe or complex Special Educational Needs that would be met more appropriately through provision available in a special school; or a child fluent in English who could benefit from the education available in a mainstream school; when the learning needs of a child requires provision to be made available outside the centre.
Computers
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the written answer of 24 July 2002, Official Report, column 1369W, on computers, what evaluation has been made of the success of the Computers Within Reach scheme; and how this will inform future policy on the Computers Within Reach concept. [76026]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Computers Within Reach Scheme closed on 31 October 2001 having delivered over 24,000 recycled computers to people in 22 pilot areas, at a cost of #7.1 million over two years. Those eligible were in receipt of certain working age benefits or a State Pension with minimum income guarantee.
An evaluation was conducted, and a copy has been placed in the Libraries. Positive findings included:
- 83 per cent. of recipients surveyed were satisfied with their computer;
- the average weekly usage of the computer by recipients stood at just over 8 hours per week; and
- on average 3 other individuals, besides the recipient, were making use of the computer in each household.
However, the report also highlighted difficulties with the scheme, which included:
- there being no cost-effective solution for delivery of units to individuals;
- even though 83 per cent. of recipients surveyed were satisfied with their computer, just under half had experienced problems with it and nearly 75 per cent. of those people said they were not supported to overcome the difficulties; and
- only 51 per cent. were satisfied with the level of service provided.
In view of these difficulties, we considered carefully whether to repeat the scheme against alternatives that might provide more effective access to ICT and learning opportunities for those currently without access.
We concluded that we should not run another phase of the Computers Within Reach Scheme but channel the remaining #7.9 million into purchasing wireless technology equipment and laptops for Adult and Community Learning Centres serving deprived wards around the country. This will open up access to equipment and training for an estimated 335,000 learners over a three year period—far more than the number who would have benefited from an extension of the Computers Within Reach Scheme. These learners will be offered regular, supported access to the learning
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potential of the Internet and the communication potential of e-mail. Access to the Internet will mean that, for the first time for many, access to e-Government and e-Democracy can be a reality.
School Funding
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how she will change the education funding formula to provide a more even funding system for pupils in rural and inner city schools; [75886]
- (2) what steps she will take to ensure that current proposals for funding in schools will not accelerate increased spending for inner city pupils over those students in rural areas; [75887]
(3) what steps she is taking to secure more even distribution of funding for pupils and schools in rural and inner city areas; [75888]
(4) if she will consider Option 5, put forward by the F40 Group, to secure a more even distribution of funding for pupils between rural and inner city schools; [75889]
(5) what plans she has to improve the basic allowance per pupil in the worst-funded education authorities, with specific reference to Shropshire; [75890]
(6) what steps she is taking to reduce the funding gap between education authorities in urban and rural areas. [75891]
Mr. Miliband: The Government will consider carefully all responses to the consultation on Local Government Finance, and all suggested further options before taking decisions on the new Local Government funding system, to be introduced for 2003–04. Decisions on the balance between the basic entitlement and extra funding for additional educational needs will be decided on the basis of evidence about pupil characteristics and cost of provision: this will determine the distribution of funding between urban and rural authorities and will be announced by early December with the local authority finance settlement.
Promotions in Schools
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the amount of commercial activity and sponsorship targeted at children through their schools in each of the last five years and the amount of money such promotional activity has raised. [76388]
Mr. Miliband: We do not collect data centrally on the amount of commercial activity and sponsorship, or funds raised, locally in schools. Well thought-out commercial support can add value to school life and provide welcome additional resources. Last Autumn, we issued guidelines—''Commercial activities in schools: Best practice principles''—so that schools can make informed and sensible decisions about the nature of business involvement. The guidelines make clear that schools should satisfy themselves that the educational benefits of the commercial activity outweigh the potential disbenefits; that it is free of incentives to children to engage in unhealthy, unsafe or unlawful
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activities; that explicit sales messages are avoided wherever possible; and that the level of any branding is appropriate to the activity.
Pupil Funding
Mr. Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the total grant per pupil allocated to each local education authority. [76275]
Mr. Miliband: The table below shows the Department's total recurrent grant per pupil allocated to each local education authority for the current financial year, 2002–03. This does not include funding through SSAs and Revenue Support Grant.
Notes:
1 Figures reflect all revenue grants in DfES's DEL relevant to pupils aged 4–19.
2 Grant figures exclude funds that include ages below 4 year olds EMA and LSC.
3 Pupil numbers underlying the #s per pupil are those underlying the SSA settlement calculations (all sub-blocks).
4 Figures rounded to nearest #10. Difference figures may not sum due to rounding
5 2002–03 figures are provisonal estimates as decisions on some funding allocations have yet to be finalised.
The figures are thus liable to be revised later on in the year.
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