§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the figures for teacher numbers and vacancies for January 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattenThe annual survey of teacher numbers and vacancies shows that teacher numbers in England rose between January 1992 and January 1993, and that the vacancy rates in January 1993 were the lowest ever recorded. Vacancies have fallen to only 1,343 this year. This is good news for schools. It represents a further 30 per cent. fall in vacancies, to little more than one vacancy for every 20 schools. The fall is even more marked in mathematics, science and modern foreign languages. Provisional teacher numbers in LEA-maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools and self-governing state schools rose by 0.2 per cent. from 394,900 full-time equivalent teachers in January 1992 to 395,600. The estimated overall pupil to teacher ratio is 17.66: 1.
I am placing fuller details of the vacancy figures in the Library.