HC Deb 27 November 1991 vol 199 cc529-30W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the best available estimate of the cost to public funds of a teacher obtaining a teacher qualification through(a) the BEd-BA—qualified teacher status—(b) the post-graduate Certificate of Education—ordinary—and (c) the articled teachers scheme—PGCE—respectively.

Mr. Fallon

The estimated average cost at 1991–92 prices of training a teacher in a higher education institution outside London through a four-year undergraduate course is about £25,000; through a one-year PGCE about £6,000; and through the two-year articled teacher scheme about £19,500. Costs for training teachers in London institutions are higher, as are costs of training teachers in shortage secondary subjects, due to the special bursaries they receive.