HC Deb 07 April 1987 vol 114 cc136-7W
Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial help is available to women science and technology graduates wishing to return to work.

Mrs. Rumbold

Graduates who wish to train as teachers will be eligible for mandatory awards for study leading to the post-graduate certificate of education from local education authorities. If they study to become secondary mathematics, physics or technology teachers, they will attract a £1,250 tax-free national bursary in addition to the award.

Discretionary and postgraduate training awards for other courses may be available from LEA's or research councils respectively.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what courses sponsored by his Department are provided to re-equip women science and technology graduates to return to work after leaving to start a family.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Government have made available £6.4 million to higher education for specially designed courses to increase the supply of teachers in shortage subjects, including physics and craft, design and technology.

These courses are open equally to men and women graduates. Some have been specially designed to include part-time study and distance learning with women graduates returning to teaching after starting a family in mind.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to attract women science and technology graduates back into teaching after they have left the profession to start a family.

Mrs. Rumbold

We are trying hard to attract women science and technology graduates back to teaching. Expenditure on updating courses will qualify for grant under the new in-service training scheme. New forms of training are being designed which will allow part-time and distance learning study which should be especially helpful for women. Discussions with local authorities about more flexible employment practices are taking place.

The Government are involved in a number of publicity initiatives, and the new teaching as a career unit will encourage women teachers to return to the profession.