§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the replacement to circular 11/78 about the criteria for entry to teacher training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnA draft of a replacement for circular 11/78, which would offer revised guidance on medical standards for entry to initial teacher training, was issued for consultation in September 1984. Responses to the draft are under consideration and the circular will be issued as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the inclusion of the medical concept of deafness in the draft circular to replace circular 11/78 about the criteria for entry to teacher training; and whether he will make a statement on using ability to communicate as a criteria for entry to teacher training.
§ Mr. DunnSome 10 of the organisations which commented on the draft circular have made representations about the guidance included in the draft on the implications of defective hearing for admission to teacher training. These and other representations on the draft circular are being considered. Decisions on admissions to courses of initial teacher training rest with the training institutions, which have a responsibility to satisfy themselves, in the light of the medical advice available to them, as to the health and physical capacity for teaching of intending entrants to initial training. A relevant consideration is the implication of any hearing defect for the person's capacity to give effective service as a teacher in the maintained system.