§ Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has reached a decision on the advice given by the Wales Advisory Body about the future provision of initial teacher training courses in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsAt its meeting on 27 June the Wales Advisory Body recommended that there should be an urgent review of all initial teacher training in the public and university sectors in Wales and that it should he undertaken jointly by WAB and the University Grants Committee. WAB further recommended that decisions on the rationalisation of initial teacher training in the public sector should await the outcome of the review. The University Grants Committee has agreed to take part in the joint review which will produce recommendations within a period of 12 months.
It is very important that the future arrangements for initial teacher training should make the most effective use of the facilities and resources available and that teachers should receive the best possible preparation and training for a very demanding career. After careful consideration I have decided to accept the WA B's advice that rationalisation of public sector provision should await the outcome of the joint review. This will enable the strengths which exist in both sectors to be taken fully into account in shaping the future pattern of provision. In line with this decision I shall be allocating student places to public sector institutions for one year only in 1987. Allocations for 1988 and 1989 will be announced after the review has been completed and decisions on future arrangements have been taken.