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Mathematics And Science Teaching

Volume 952: debated on Tuesday 20 June 1978

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15.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the number of cases where mathematics and science subjects are being taught by inadequately qualified teachers, or teachers who are not trained in these subjects at all; and if she will make a statement.

Does the Minister agree that as there is such an urgent need for skilled people in industry, which requires the good and effective teaching of mathematics in schools, it is vital that this information is obtained by the Government, otherwise their expensive retraining schemes for teachers from arts subjects into mathematics will be ineffective?

We are aware of the problem and are doing something about it. In 1974 there was a considerable shortage of mathematics and science teachers, and when the Conservative Party was in power nothing was done about it. We have set up the courses, but it will be some time before the products of those courses are available to the schools.

Is the Minister aware that there is an inadequate supply of properly trained teachers of religious subjects, just as there is in science and mathematics? What steps are the Government taking to make this a more important subject within teaching and to ensure that there are sufficient fully qualified teachers trained in this vital area of moral and religious education in schools?

I agree that there is a shortage of graduate teachers, but there is not the overwhelming shortage of non-graduate teachers in religious subjects that there is in mathematics and science. We have sent a circular to local authorities and we should know by the summer of this year how many people who are qualified to teach religious education are teaching it.