§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the number of qualified physics, mathematics and science teachers in schools.
§ The Prime MinisterNot yet. But the initiatives taken by the Government to improve supply in these vital areas are beginning to show results. These include a £1,250 tax-free bursary for trainee teachers in the shortage subjects, new flexible training courses, better publicity, the setting up of the Teaching as a Career unit (TASC) to improve recruitment, more in-service training, and working with industry to improve recruitment of mature entrants. There is a reasonable chance of teacher training targets in shortage subjects being met this year for the first time for some years.