§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will make a statement on bursaries available for postgraduate teacher training; and what assessment he has made of the effect of bursaries on the number of students entering postgraduate teacher training; [121773]
(2) what plans he has to introduce a bursary for undergraduates taking teacher training courses. [121774]
§ Mr. MilibandThe introduction of teacher training bursaries from September 2000 played a major part in reversing an eight-year trend of declining recruitment to courses of initial teacher training at institutions in England. Since 1999/2000, the number of entrants to courses leading to the Postgraduate Certificate in Education has increased by 34 per cent. to 23,441, a record level. In the same period, the numbers of science and mathematics graduates entering teacher training have risen by 21 per cent. and 38 per cent. respectively. Figures published on 4 June by the Graduate teacher Training Registry showed applications from graduates to train as teachers in 2003/04 running 16 per cent. above their level at the same time last year. My right hon. Friend has no present plans to extend eligibility for the training bursaries.