§ Mrs. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has reached decisions on the arrangements for intake to teacher training courses at Scottish colleges of education in session 1985–86; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerProvisional arrangements suggested in a discussion paper issued by my Department have been the subject of consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the joint committee of colleges of education in Scotland. In the light of views expressed by these bodies, comments from individual colleges of education and other organisations, and education authorities' estimates of their future secondary school staffing requirements, I have now decided that the total numbers of students to be admitted to pre-service teacher training courses in session 1985–86 should be 600 to the four year primary BEd degree course, 200 to the one year primary postgraduate curse and 570 to secondary courses (on the basis that this last figure may be exceeded, if necessary, in order to admit any additional suitable applicants in business studies).
I am seeking the comments of the governing body of each college on the following proposed quotas within the aforementioned overall levels.
Primary Intake Secondary Intake College Proposed BEd Degree Course Quotas Proposed Postgraduate Course Quotas Proposed Quotas Aberdeen 95 30 65 Craigie 70 20 — Dundee 50 20 45 Dunfermline — — 40 Jordanhill 150 50 245 Moray House 120 45 90 St. Andrew's 115 35 85 Total 600 200 570 In regard to secondary intake I am advising the colleges to give priority in session 1985–86 to students applying for admission to courses leading to a teachig qualification (secondary education) in business studies, mathematics, physics and religious education6; and in regard to business studies in particular I am asking the colleges concerned to admit within their quotas the same numbers as in the current session and advising them that thereafter any additional numbers admitted will be over and above their quotas. I am also reminding each college of the need to consult the education authorities which it mainly serves in order to ensure that the numbers admitted both in individual priority subject and in other subjects appropriately reflect regional needs.