HC Deb 24 May 1979 vol 967 cc254-6W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has taken a decision on the number of students to be admitted to courses of teacher training in the Scottish colleges of education in the session 1979–80; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

After carefully considering the latest available information on all the factors involved in determining levels of intake to teacher-training courses in session 1979–80, including estimates by authorities of their future secondary school staffing requirements, and in the light of the views of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the joint committee of colleges of education in Scotland, I have decided that the total intake to pre-service courses of teacher training should not exceed 760 students for the primary diploma course, 200 for the primary postgraduate course and 1,900 for secondary courses (including BEd courses).

I must emphasise that, in view of the continuing decline in the school population, it should not be assumed that the intakes for future years will necessarily be as high as those for 1979–80. This applies particularly in the secondary sector, where the expected sharp fall in the school population will inevitably lead to

Primary Intake
College Diploma Post-Graduate Secondary Intake
Quota 1978–79 (1) Proposed Quota 1979–80 (2) Quota 1978–79 (3) Proposed Quota 1979–80 (4) Quota 1978–79 (5) Proposed Quota 1979–80 (6)
Aberdeen 100 100 20 25 210 245
Callender Park 55 65 10 15
Craigie 50 75 10 20
Craiglockhart 50 55 10 15 60 60
Dundee 50 55 10 15 130 155
Dunfermline 100 110
Hamilton 60 70 15 20 25 35
Jordanhill 120 125 30 35 545 655
Moray House 125 125 25 30 350 415
Notre Dame 90 90 20 25 180 225
Total 700 760 150 200 1,600 1,900

The proposed total intake for the two Roman Catholic colleges is related broadly to the Roman Catholic school population, bearing in mind that courses of secondary training in certain subjects are not provided in these colleges. The proposed intake to Dunfermline college of education takes account of the estimated national need for physical education teachers.

The quotas for the other colleges take account of the latest available information about non-denominational primary and secondary school population in each education authority area, and of the recruitment of newly-qualified primary and secondary teachers by authorities from each of these colleges in recent years. The smallest colleges, however, have been allocated proposed quotas which are larger than would be justified on the basis of the above criteria, in order to ensure that their student population remains at an educationally viable level; and the proposed secondary quotas have been adjusted in favour of the west of Scotland colleges in view of the special staffing needs of Strathclyde Region.

It is important that the selection of students for admission to courses of

some decline in the number of secondary-trained teachers required.

I am required to consult the governing body of each college before issuing directions regarding the number of students of different categories to be admitted to the college For session 1979–80 I am proposing to the colleges that the allocation of the total intake to pre-service courses of teacher training should be as in the following table, which also shows the quotas for session 1978–79 for comparison:

secondary training should have regard to the likely future needs of the schools for teachers of individual subjects. I am therefore asking the colleges, in allocating places to applicants for admission to secondary training to give highest priority to applications for admission to courses leading to a teaching qualification (secondary education) in business studies, mathematics, modern languages, music, physical and technical education, and to give lowest priority to applicants for training in economics, geography, history and modern studies.

The latest information available to me suggests that no more than 5 per cent. of the total intake to courses of secondary training should be students seeking training in subjects in the latter category. In order to guard against the admission of an unduly large proportion of students in the subjects of least priority, I am asking the colleges to ensure that that percentage is not exceeded. I am also suggesting to the colleges that they should consult the education authorities in their areas with a view to ascertaining whether any departures from this general advice might be necessary in the light of local school staffing needs.

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