§ 40. Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he remains satisfied that there are sufficient opportunities for newly-qualified teachers.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe 1976–77 rate support grant settlement made provision for local authorities, who employ teachers, to maintain collectively their 1975–76 staffing standards, and the latest evidence suggests that authorities are broadly conforming to those guidelines. My right hon. Friend has encouraged authorities to give priority, within these limits, to the employment of the newly qualified.
§ 43. Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the latest employment prospects for newly-qualified teachers.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonI have nothing to add to the statements already made by my right hon. Friend and myself as no further information is yet available.
§ 48. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many student teachers qualifying in 1976 have not as yet found jobs in the teaching profession; and how this compares with the figures for 1975.
§ Mr. Gerry Fowler27,700–68 per cent.—of 41,000 teachers who successfully completed courses of initial training in 665W 1975 had taken up full-time posts in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Wales by last September. Corresponding information about the 39,000 who will complete their training in 1976 will be available towards the end of the year. My Department does not collect similar data on those entering teaching in independent and special schools, in further and higher education, and outside England and Wales.