asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many education students are currently enrolled at institutions of higher education; allowing for the normal wastage rate, how many are expected to qualify as teachers in 1977, 1978 and 1979; and what is the anticipated intake of such students in those years.
There are 3,428 full-time students following teacher training courses and 593 part-time students—teachers following in-service courses—currently enrolled at institutions of higher education in Northern Ireland; 1,244 are expected to qualify in 1977, and 886 and 807 in 1978 and 1979 respectively. In addition, 525 students following teacher training courses in Great Britain and holding awards from the Northern Ireland Department of Education are expected to qualify in 1977, and 312 and 180 in 1978 and 1979 respectively. The numbers expected to qualify in 1978 and 1979 do not include any students who may be admitted to one-year courses in 1977 and 1978.Decisions about admissions in these years have not yet been taken.