73. Mrs. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to increase the number of teachers in shortage subjects in primary and secondary schools.
§ Mrs. RumboldIn the primary phase, where teachers are expected to teach the full primary curriculum, the teaching of maths, science and CDT is being strengthened by Government support for in-service training. In addition, certain teacher training institutions are developing courses with maths and science as subject specialisms.
534WIn secondary schools a number of measures have been taken to improve supply. These include the introduction of a £1,250 bursary scheme, better training opportunities, and the setting up of the Teaching as Career Unit to promote a career in teaching.
Further details are in a DES bulletin "Action on Teacher Shortages: One Year On," which I have placed in the Library.
These measures have made an impact with applications for initial teacher training well up on previous years. Actual recruitment figures will become available shortly.
§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary school teachers of(a) mathematics, (b) physics and (c) craft, design and technology ceased to work within the maintained sector in the academic years 1984–85, 1985–86, and 1986–87; whether he will list this information by economic region; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldInformation for 1985–86 and 1986–87 is not yet available. The numbers of secondary school graduate teachers who left teaching service in the public sector during the 1984–85 financial year, whose first named subject of qualification (other than education) was mathematics or physics, are as follows1
Graduates (including BEds) in Region Mathematics Physics North 42 21 Yorkshire and Humberside 66 28 North West 70 35 East Midlands 47 28 West Midlands 66 33 East Anglia 20 12 Greater London 144 54 Other South East 169 74 South West 68 29 Total England 692 314 1 Figures for non-graduates by subject, including Craft, Design and Technology are not available.
§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of applications for post-graduate certificate of education courses in(a) mathematics, (b) physics, (c) craft, design and technology for the academic years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe number of applications for PGCE secondary courses in England and Wales in these subjects was:
Applications for courses in academic year Subject 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 Mathematics 1,502 1,234 1,140 Physics 695 535 582 CDT 172 169 239 Note: Figures on applications for PGCE primary courses are not disaggregated by subject.
§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students on post-graduate certificate of education courses in the present academic year are taking(a) mathematics, (b) physics or, (c) craft, design and technology as their main subject.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe principal findings of the Department of Education and Science's survey of this 535W year's recruitment to initial teacher training, including PGCE secondary courses with main specialisms in these subjects, will be available very shortly.
§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students on post-graduate certificate of education courses in the academic years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87 took(a) mathematics, (b) physics or (c) craft, design and technology as their main subject.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe number of students on PGCE secondary courses in England and Wales in these subjects was:
Academic year Subject 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 Mathematics 801 696 741 Physics 408 255 341 CDT 81 93 159 Note: Figures on students admitted to PGCE primary courses are not disaggregated by subject.