§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people joined the teaching profession after university in 2003; and what plans he has to increase the number of people interested in joining the teaching profession. [176815]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 10 June 2004]: Between March 2001 and March 2002, 18,200 newly qualified teachers entered full-time or part-time service in the maintained sector in England. These teachers gained qualified teacher status in calendar year 2001 either through an initial teacher training course or other approved route. A further 10,100 entered service in the maintained sector for the first time having qualified before 2001. This is the latest information available.
There are a number of schemes designed to encourage people to consider teaching as a potential career option. These range from taster schemes that give people the opportunity to work in a classroom environment before making a commitment to financial incentives such as Golden Hello and Training Bursaries. Thanks to the continued success of these and other schemes, teacher numbers are at their highest level since 1981. The Government remain committed to attracting good quality people into teaching and encouraging them to remain in the profession.