§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure an appropriate number of suitably qualified teachers for pupils with severe learning difficulties and sensory impairment.
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§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase the supply of specially trained teachers for children with severe multiple and profound handicap and with acute learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthIdentification of the numbers and the training needs of teachers of children with special educational needs is best done by local education authorities, which can determine which categories of special educational needs training are required in their areas.
It is for the Department to provide funds to local education authorities under the grants for education support and training programme to support them with the costs of training. In 1993–94 grant support expenditure will be increased by almost 40 per cent. to £10 million and the previous restrictions on what the grant could cover will be relaxed.
§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will now earmark a special element in the overall sum of grants for education support for training to be allocated to the training of teachers for children with severe learning disabilities.
§ Mr. ForthThe responsibility for training teachers of all children with special educational needs rests with the local education authorities. They are in the best position to determine their own teaching needs. The Government have provided for an increase of 40 per cent. from £7.2 million to £10 million in expenditure which may be supported in training teachers of children with special educational needs.