To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students were enrolled on teacher-training courses in Northern Ireland in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06; how many students withdrew from such courses (i) temporarily and (ii) permanently in each year, broken down by age; and if he will make a statement. (100710)

In 2003-04, 2,015 students were enrolled on initial teacher training courses at Northern Ireland higher education institutions. The equivalent figure for 2004-05 was 2,034. Data for the 2005-06 academic year are not available.

The table gives details of the number of students who withdrew from these courses, broken down by age. It is not possible to determine from the data collected whether students who withdraw do so on a temporary or permanent basis.