§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to provide opportunities for science and mathematics teachers to continue their education and bring themselves up to date in their subject; and whether he will provide financial incentives to encourage teachers to improve their qualifications.
§ Miss BaconArrangements have recently been announced under which serving teachers can take courses leading to the B.Ed. degree; these include options in science and mathematics. The Department is considering how far such arrangements might be extended to other degrees and how provision for other courses can be expanded.
Short courses in particular aspects of science and mathematics are provided at universities and colleges of further education and by many agencies, including H.M. Inspectorate; efforts are being made to increase the provision.
Additions to salary are already made for a degree and certain professional and other qualifications. Any extension or variation of the existing provisions would rest with the Burnham Committee.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what he is doing to encourage the study of 385W mathematics and science in sixth forms, with a view to increasing the stock of qualified people, from which teachers of these subjects may be drawn;
(2) what special efforts he is making to increase the number of girls taking physics and mathematics at an advanced level.
§ Miss BaconA great deal is being done to enhance the attractions of science and mathematics as subjects for study. The Schools Council is sponsoring 16 curriculum development projects in this field and is associated with the Nuffield Foundation in 7 others. All apply equally to girls and boys. I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to earlier questions this afternoon about steps to increase the supply of teachers of science and mathematics and to provide training for them.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he is doing in areas of shortages of science and mathematics teachers to use facilities at local technical colleges for school pupils.
§ Miss BaconMy right hon. Friend believes that the colleges of further education have a valuable contribution to make in this field and he is anxious that local education authorities should examine the possibilities under the existing law of achieving as flexible co-operation as possible between schools and colleges.