HC Deb 19 June 1997 vol 296 c259W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) for each year of operation of school-centred initial teacher training courses, what has been the average cost per annum for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education student(a) at an initial teacher training institution and (b) on a SCITT course; [4481]

(2) how many school-centred initial teacher training courses have sought validation for the award of the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education for students on such courses; what proportion failed on (a) an initial validation visit and (b) a subsequent validation visit; and if he will make a statement; [4482]

(3) if he will list for each year of operation of school-centred initial teacher training courses (i) the total number of students in teacher training, (ii) the total number of students training on SCITT courses and (iii) the number of SCITT course trainees as a percentage of total trainees; and what estimate he has made of the number of students entering SCITT courses in the 1998–99 academic year; [4484]

(4) if he will list for each year of operation of school-centred initial teacher training courses the number of schools involved; what is his estimate of the number of schools likely to be involved in the 1998–99 academic year; and if he will make a statement. [4485]

Ms Estelle Morris

These are matters for the Teacher Training Agency. I will ask the Chairman of the Agency, Geoffrey Parker, to write to the hon. Member direct.

Mr. Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school-centred initial teacher training courses have been inspected by the Office for Standards in Education; what proportion have been judged unsatisfactory; and if he will make a statement.[4483]

Ms Morris

This is a matter for the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked the Chief Inspector to write to the hon. Member.