§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representatives he has received concerning the training and further professional development of teachers of children with special educational needs; whether he intends making changes to established practices in this sphere; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI have received one letter from a group of lecturers in Wales who are concerned about this matter, and five letters from hon. Members. The Government have accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee for the Supply and Education of Teachers that specialist qualifications to teach deaf children, as well as children with other disabilities, should be acquired after qualification as a teacher in the normal way and after a period of experience of teaching in an ordinary school. Under the new local education authority training grants scheme, which came into operation on 1 April 1987, over £200,000 has been allocated to authorities in Wales for the training of existing teachers to meet the special educational needs of pupils with learning difficulties. The Welsh Office will be monitoring what use the local education authorities make of these funds.