§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration is being given to designing special bachelor of education courses to attract mature entrants to teach in shortage subjects.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department has encouraged training institutions to prepare courses of this kind; and my right hon. Friend has approved proposals for them from a number of institutions. Other institutions are known to be considering the mounting of such courses. My right hon. Friend will consider carefully the advice which he has recently received from the advisory committee on the supply and education of teachers about shortened courses of initial training in craft, design and technology, business studies and music.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to attract mature entrants to teach in shortage subjects.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Government offer through the Manpower Services Commission a special scheme of training awards and grants to mature entrants who wish to train to teach the shortage subjects. This scheme has provided support for more than 1,600 mature students on initial training courses since it started in 1977. Arrangements for its operation in the 1982–83 academic year were recently publicised in the national press. Provision for the training and further training of teachers in shortage subjects after 1982–83 is currently the subject of consultation.