HC Deb 14 November 1977 vol 939 c70W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will set out in the Official Report the numbers and proportions of men and women students in colleges of education expected to qualify in courses leading to teaching in primary and infant schools, excluding those taking primary/secondary courses.

Mr. Oakes

There were some 82,500 students on initial teacher training courses in colleges and polytechnic departments of education in England and Wales in October 1976. Of the 61,150–75.1 per cent.—who were women, 27,400–44.8 per cent.— were following courses specifically designed for intending teachers of pupils in the infant and junior age-range; and of the 21,350 men, 2,050–9.7 per cent.—were following such courses.