§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has 77W received concerning the shortage of physics and mathematics teachers in secondary schools; and what action he is proposing to take.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend has received many representations on this subject; most recently from the authors and recipients of a report on the shortage of physics teachers, prepared jointly by the Royal Society and the Institute of Physics.
Current output of these teachers is encouraging. Applications for PGCE courses in mathematics and physics, beginning in 1980, were 33 per cent. higher than in 1979; and applications for this year's courses were, at 8 July, 42 per cent. higher than a year earlier. The existing schemes for the training and retraining of mature entrants with appropriate qualifications and service teachers are currently funded to continue up to 1982–83, and the Government plan to introduce a scholarship scheme to attract high calibre students to initial training. The Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers is to examine the future supply of these teachers as part of its current programme.