§ Sir Malcolm ThorntonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what further consideration he has given to initial teacher training bursaries for shortage subjects; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales have considered the future of the bursary scheme, in the light of buoyant recruitment to initial teacher training, the rising cost of bursaries and the availability of public funds.
They have concluded that bursaries of £1,000 should continue to be available in the academic year 1994–95 for full-time one and two-year PGCE and BEd courses in physics, chemistry, integrated science, mathematics, technology, modern foreign languages and Welsh. They have also decided that courses in biology beginning after July 1994, and all part-time—including Open university—courses beginning after December 1994, should not attract bursaries.
My right hon. Friends plan to review the bursary scheme in consultation with the proposed Teacher Training Agency in 1995.