§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of his proposals for licensed teachers and articled teachers.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthMy right hon. Friend has announced his acceptance of 16 bids for support under the local education authority training grants scheme (LEATGS) for articled teacher schemes. The schemes will be run by partnerships involving both local education authorities and initial teacher training institutions. A total of some 600 places will be available for articled teachers this September.
The bids received for funding of licensed teacher training under the new LEATGS national priority area reflect extensive interest in the scheme among LEAs. In advance of specific funding becoming available, 21 licensed teachers have already been appointed and a further 25 applications are under consideration.
The Government are providing grant aid to support £5.3 million of expenditure by LEAs on the articled and licensed teacher schemes in financial year 1990–91. An announcement on the allocation to individual LEAs will be made shortly.