§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has regarding the qualifications necessary before an individual may embark on a teacher training course; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. Friend has issued a consultation document today, containing proposals for reforming courses of initial training for primary teachers. The only major change proposed to entry qualifications is that there should be a new requirement that with effect from 1 September 1998 all entrants to such courses who were born on or after 1 September 1979 should have attained a standard equivalent to GCSE grade C in science. The qualifications for entry to initial training courses for secondary teachers were set out in DFE circular 9–92 and are unchanged. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.