§ 54. Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much the number of graduates applying to train to teach science 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 science166W were 8 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.