§ 55. Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much the number of graduates applying to train to teach biology has increased for 1990 over 1989.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthApplications from graduates for postgraduate certificate in education courses are handled by the Graduate Teacher Training Registry. For the week ending 9 February applications to train to teach biology were 17 per cent. down on the corresponding time last year. Applications can be received up until the end of September. In January 1989 PGCE applications overall were running 6 per cent. down on the previous year, but at the end of the recruiting season applications were 2 per cent. and recruitment 4 per cent. higher than in the previous year. We are continuing to pursue our programme to recruit teachers in shortage subjects.