HC Deb 27 July 1981 vol 9 c300W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places there were on the third and fourth year bachelor of education courses in 1978, 1979 and 1980; how many of these places were filled, and what are the estimates for the courses beginning in the current year.

Dr. Boyson

Targets for first-year enrolments on three and four year initial teacher training courses in England and Wales covering both bachelor of education degrees and certificates in education for the academic years 1978–79 and 1979–80, and bachelor of education courses alone in 1980–81, were 9,500, 9,450 and 9,450 respectively. Actual enrolments for the two earlier years were as follows:

1978–79 1979–80
Bachelor of Education 6,300 6,450
Certificate in Education 2,650 2,300
Total 8,950 8,750

Final figures are as yet not available for enrolments in 1980–81 but early indications suggest that first year enrolments were about 40 per cent. below the target. Applications for courses beginning in the autumn of 1981 are running at about the same level as in 1980. In 1980–81 entry to certificate courses was phased out and the targets for that and subsequent years reflect this.