HC Deb 10 May 1993 vol 224 c322W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures he intends to take to encourage people with disabilities to become teachers, nursery nurses or teachers' aides.

Mr. Boswell

The Department is in consultation with disabled teachers' interest groups prior to the revision of the Department's circular 1/88 "Physical and Mental Fitness to Teach of Teachers and of Entrants to Teacher Training". This will continue to stress that disability in itself does not mean a person is medically unfit to teach, but that the paramount consideration should be the health and welfare of pupils. Applicants need to take into account that employment in these areas can also make significant demands on an individual's strength and stamina.