HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc197-8
2. Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with existing arrangements for teachers to gain experience of industry; and if she will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Gordon Oakes)

In addition to local initiatives, there are several national schemes which provide opportunities for teachers to gain direct experience of industry. The planned expansion of in-service training should make it possible for more teachers to participate in such schemes and my right hon. Friend welcomes the growing interest and support which they are attracting both from industry and among teachers and their employers.

Mr. Haselhurst

In view of the crucial link between education, preparation for work and the needs of industry, is it not very important—and will the Minister of State affirm—that we should be trying to ensure that many more teachers, as a regular part of their experience, whether in training or afterwards, are intimately connected with the workings of industry?

Mr. Oakes

I am in entire agreement with the hon. Gentleman on this matter. Between 1977 and 1981 there will have been a fourfold increase in the number of teachers released for induction and in-service training. I hope that there may be a significant expansion of industrial experience within those figures.

Mr. Spearing

Would not my hon. Friend agree that it is at least of equal importance that people with experience of industry become teachers? Are there still shortages in the craft trades in schools, despite widespread unemployment among teachers? If so, will my hon. Friend do something to see that people of mature years and with experience of industry take up teaching?

Mr. Oakes

Yes, Sir. In recent years about 20 per cent, of entrants to initial teacher training have been aged 25 or over. I regret that I cannot give my hon. Friend the exact numbers of those coming from industry. In addition, more than 450 mature entrants to the profession, many of them from industry, were recruited to training in the current academic year.

Mr. Forman

Does the Minister agree that part of the problem is caused by some rather blinkered attitudes in the teacher training colleges, quite apart from anything else? Will he get his Department and its officials to look again at the possibility of changing some aspects of the curriculum of teacher training colleges so that it does not lay such great stress on educational theory but puts more on teacher training in the class room?

Mr. Oakes

That is a matter to which we are giving attention. We are placing emphasis on industrial aspects of the existing courses rather than having a separate new addition to the curriculum, which is already fairly overcrowded at teacher training colleges.