§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list those institutions providing teacher training which offer non-standard entry opportunities.
§ Mr. DunnIt is open to any institution providing initial teacher training to admit as special entrants mature applicants who lack the conventional entry qualifications for first degree studies, provided that the institution and its validating body are satisfied that such students have suitable personal qualities, appropriate experience of adult and working life, the intellectual capacity to complete a degree course successfully and competence in the use and understanding of mathematics and English language. A number of teacher training institutions have arrangements whereby they admit students who have successfully completed special access courses, which have been developed to prepare candidates for entry to higher education without the normal entry qualifications. Under the criteria for the approval of initial teacher training courses issued in April 1984, however, at least 75 per cent. of the students entering any one course should possess the normal qualifications for entry to a first degree course, in other words the special entrants should not form more than 25 per cent. of the intake.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the possible closure of the teacher training course at the Polytechnic of North London.
§ Mr. DunnAs at 3 June my right hon. Friend had received four representations concerning the proposal made by the Secretariat of the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education regarding the future of initial teacher training at the Polytechnic of North London.164WThe representations drew attention to the particular contribution made by the polytechnic to the training of teachers of ethnic minority origin.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the teacher training course at the Polytechnic of North London.
§ Mr. DunnFollowing my right hon. Friend's announcement of target intakes to initial teacher training for the period 1986–89, the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education and the Welsh Advisory Body were asked to advise on the distribution of intakes between public sector institutions. As a first stage in that process the Secretariat of the National Advisory Body issued proposals to institutions as a basis for consultation. I cannot anticipate what advice the National Advisory Body will submit in respect of individual institutions or what decisions my right hon. Friend will take in the light of that advice.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the establishments offering teacher training which have special provision for (a) candidates from ethnic minorities and (b) offering experience of teaching ethnically mixed classes.
§ Mr. DunnAs indicated in a reply which I have given to another question from the hon. Member today, a number of teacher training institutions have arrangements whereby they admit candidates without the conventional entry qualifications for first degree studies who have successfully completed special access courses for entry to higher education. Such students may include candidates of ethnic minority origin, but information about the number of teacher training students from ethnic minorities is not currently collected. Criteria for the approval of initial teacher training courses issued in April 1984 require that all students should be prepared to teach the full range of pupils whom they are likely to encounter in an ordinary school, with their diversity of ethnic and cultural origins. My right hon. Friend considers that efforts should be made by all teacher training institutions to give all their students some experience of ethnically mixed schools. Many institutions, including those in areas without substantial ethnic minority populations, already take steps to ensure that their students are provided with such experience.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to increase the numbers of trainee-teachers from ethnic minorities in the light of the Swann report.
§ Mr. DunnAs indicated in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 14 March at column 452 and my answer to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 19 April, at column 291 my right hon. Friend intends to consult the education service and representatives of the ethnic minorities on ways to increase the proportion of the teacher force recruited from ethnic minority groups. He hopes to be able to make a further statement shortly.