HL Deb 22 March 1982 vol 428 c920WA
Lord Renton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will now arrange suitable programmes in colleges and other teacher training institutions to prepare teachers to deal adequately with the growing number of pupils with special educational needs expected to enter county schools as a result of the Education Act 1981.

Lord Elton

The content of initial professional training courses for teachers is a matter for institutions and their validating bodies. A number of initial courses now include some treatment of special educational needs and some have optional elements dealing with the education of pupils with particular disabilities and the department and Her Majesty's Inspectorate will continue to encourage such provision. In addition, a range of in-service teacher education courses is available, including long full-time and part-time courses in teacher training institutions, dealing with special educational needs of various kinds.