§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many teachers received in-service training into the use of micros in schools in 1981; and how many he estimates will do so in 1982 and subsequent years;
(2) if he is satisfied that there are sufficient teaching staff trained in information technology; and whether steps are at present being taken to encourage further training.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is estimated that some 3,000 teachers attended short pilot courses of in-service training supported by the micro electronics education programme—MEP—during the financial year 1981–82. In each of the following years—1982–83 and 1983–84—11,000 teachers are likely to benefit from similar MEP schemes. Comprehesive information about the training arrangements made by local education authorities independently of the MEP is not centrally available, but the number of teachers receiving some form of training is likely to increase steadily as more schools purchase microcomputers subsidised by the Department of Industry. In 1981–82 at least two teachers from 1,500 schools received some training as a condition of participation in the micros in schools scheme, and this number is likely to be exceeded in 1982–83. Longer in-service training courses in polytechnics, colleges of higher education and universities, concerned with information technology and/or computer applications in schools., provided places for some 1,300 teachers in 1981–82; and a further 100 teachers attended DES short courses organised by Her Majesty's inspectorate. It is likely that the demand for such courses will increase, and, although my right hon. Friend has at present no plans to earmark additional resources, there is evidence that in-service 351W training of this kind is already receiving a measure of priority from local education authorities. Government support through MEP will continue until 1984–85.