HC Deb 08 July 1980 vol 988 cc229-30
12. Miss Wright

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the numbers of mathematics, science and foreign languages teachers in England; and if he will make a statement.

13. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to increase the numbers of mathematics teachers in schools.

Mr. Macfarlane

No, Sir, my right hon. and learned Friend is not satisfied. There is a persistent shortage of some subjects to which training institutions are giving priority, but recruitment is falling short of its targets. The Government's special schemes of training, retraining, and further training are to continue to 1982–83, and we are shortly to discuss further measures with representatives of the local education authorities.

Miss Wright

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that if he is falling short of recruitment targets in the present economic situation, that says a great deal about the type of recruitment and training schemes? Is he aware that both parents and teachers are concerned about the present situation, where many classes are being taught by comparatively inexperienced teachers who, however dedicated they may be, are not qualified in the appropriate subject? Will he do something to ensure that recruitment and training schemes are urgently stepped up?

Mr. Macfarlane

The hon. Lady must understand that we are taking a number of initiatives, both with local authorities and with other employers of labour who have personnel who are retiring, perhaps with science degrees. We are trying to get them to come back for retraining, and a number of teachers have been recruited in that way. I do not underestimate the persistent problem that we have had for a number of years. We are trying all possible remedial action to deal with it.

Mr. Lewis

Is my hon. Friend aware that in this microchip age, all of us—Government, industry and the country as a whole—must get our sums right, and that mathematics will be vital? Will he encourage people in the Civil Service, where there are to be a large number of redundancies, to come out and be retrained to teach in our schools?

Mr. Macfarlane

My hon. Friend has raised an interesting matter, to which we shall give close attention.