§ Lord Quirkasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to attract suitable young men to become teachers in primary schools. [HL1924]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Her Majesty's Government hope that, over time, the introduction of £6,000 teacher training bursaries for primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses from September 2000 will encourage more male graduates to train as primary school teachers. The proportion of men among recruits to primary training has risen in both 2000–01 and 2001–02. Numbers are now 2.5 per cent higher than in 1999–2000. The improvements that Her Majesty's Government are making to teachers' pay and working conditions should also encourage more of the men and women who qualify as primary teachers to take up teaching posts in the maintained sector.
On 1 November, my right honourable friend announced that training bursaries would continue to be offered to trainees starting primary PGCE courses in the 2002–03 academic year.