§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers her Department aims to recruit from countries where(a)the majority of the population live on less than $1 a day and (b)the majority of the population live on less than $2 a day. [45796]
§ Mr. TimmsNone. The Government do not themselves recruit teachers, so they do not seek any particular level of overseas recruitment.
Local education authorities, schools and supply teacher agencies in the private sector may recruit from overseas, although we do not encourage it in developing nations where there is likely to be an adverse effect on the economy. My Department shares the aspirations of the Department for International Development outlined in their White Paper "Eliminating World Poverty: Making Globalisation Work for the Poor".
Overseas-trained teachers who do choose to come and work in our schools make an important contribution. Many will stay for limited periods, and can in any event teach for no more than four years here without acquiring Qualified Teacher Status. They may then return, taking back with them to their home country valuable practical teaching experience.