§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he is making in standards of teacher training in maths and physics.
§ Mr. ForthAll courses of initial teacher training for primary teachers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must include at least 100 hours devoted to maths and 100 hours devoted to science. A number of courses for secondary teachers now provide for "balanced" science, including physics. Postgraduate teacher training courses in "balanced" science enable students whose initial degree was in one science to spend part of the course extending their knowledge of the others.
Under the programme of grants for educational support and training, the Department for Education supports 20-day designated courses of in-service training to enhance the subject knowledge of primary maths and science teachers. They make a valuable contribution to improving teaching standards.