§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking to ensure more teachers in(a) modern languages, (b) the sciences and (c) mathematics.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsA series of measures has been introduced to improve the supply of teachers of modern foreign languages, science and mathematics.
These include:
- (i) adding modern foreign languages, mathematics and, more recently, science courses to the shortage subject trainee teacher bursary scheme for students entering eligible courses;
- (ii) making £140,000 available in 1991–92 under the grants for education support and training programme (GEST) to support the first year of Clwyd local education authority's articled teacher scheme. For the secondary course, Clwyd LEA will be training teachers in the shortage subjects including mathematics and science;
- (iii) approving, also under the GEST programme, local authority expenditure of some £228,000 in 1991–92 on recruitment measures which seek to attract former teachers and mature entrants to teaching especially in areas of subject shortages;
139 - (iv) the introduction of novel initial teacher training courses including shortened (2-year) Bachelor of Education (BEd) courses. Gwent College of Higher Education currently offers a shortened BEd in mathematics and science.