§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department has on the numbers of teachers recruited by local education authorities, in the latest period for which he has information, in the Greater London area, who obtained their qualifications(a) in the United Kingdom but not in England and Wales and (b) in overseas countries; and whether he has any plans for revising the arrangements for granting recognition of such qualifications.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe number of full-time qualified teachers appointed to maintained nursery, primary or secondary schools in Greater London, excluding those teachers from other public sector posts, during the year ending 31 March 1986 was as follows:
Number Trained in United Kingdom but not in England and Wales 99 Trained in overseas countries 76 My right hon. Friend has no plans to alter the principle that those who apply for qualified teacher status in England and Wales on the basis of a course completed elsewhere should be awarded that status only if their course is comparable with courses approved in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department has conducted, commissioned or otherwise supported on the subject of the relationships between schools, local education authorities and teacher training establishments in so far as they affect trainee teachers on training practice and the subsequent recruitment of such trainees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Department has commissioned a number of research projects on various aspects of teaching268W practice within initial teacher training courses, but these have not investigated subsequent recruitment of trainees. Teaching practice experience is just one of a number of factors relevant to a qualified teacher's decision on where to seek a post.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in exercising his responsibilities for the training and supply of teachers, he is seeking to redress shortages in London; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Department together with the Teaching as a Career Unit has a substantial national publicity programme aimed at boosting recruitment to initial teacher training and entry to teaching. This programme is already having some success as measured by the 13 per cent. increase in recruitment to initial teacher training courses this academic year. Much of this programme is directed towards recruitment in London and the south-east. As a special measure the Department and TASC are planning to mount a careers fair in London aimed at attracting more people into teaching, particularly in the shortage areas, in London and the south-east. We are in close touch with both the local authority associations and with individual authorities concerned about the specific recruitment problems in Greater London.