HC Deb 12 February 1980 vol 978 cc542-3W
Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his most recent estimate of the number of teaching vacancies in mathematics, physical sciences, craft design and technology; and how this compares with the situation a year previously.

Dr. Boyson

In January 1979, local education authorities reported vacancies as follows:

Mathematics: 463.

Physical sciences: 431.

Craft, design and technology: 294.

Information about vacancies in January 1980 is being collected and will be available in about a month.

Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his most recent estimate of the number of teachers without appropriate qualifications currently teaching mathematics, physical sciences, craft design and technology.

Dr. Boyson

The most recent information comes from the secondary school staffing survey, carried out in the autumn of 1977. That showed that there were some 12,500 teachers of mathematics, 6,600 teachers of the physical sciences and 5,200 teachers of craft, design and technology whose initial or in-service training did not include these subjects. They were responsible for only a minor proportion of all tuition in them: 16 per cent. of mathematics, 10 per cent. of chemistry, 22 per cent. of physics and 15 per cent. of craft design and technology.