Teacher Training

Mr. Kilfedder
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the intake to teacher training courses in England and Wales in 1989–90; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the numbers to provide for the needs of primary and secondary schools and institutions of further education in the years after 1993.

Mr. Fallon
In 1989 over 21,700 students started approved courses leading to qualification to teach in schools in the maintained sector in England and Wales: 1,500 more than in 1988 and 2·5 per cent. above our target. The targets take account of our assessment of future demand for teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools. The Government do not control the intakes or the course content of training for teaching in further education institutions. My right hon. and learned Friend intends to publish shortly a document describing our projections of school teacher demand and supply, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Evennett
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has concerning the proportion of students graduating from teacher training institutions who do not enter the teaching profession.

Mr. Fallon
Some 70 per cent. of newly qualified teachers enter teaching in maintained schools in England and Wales immediately after successfully completing their training. A further 10 per cent. enter after a year or more. Some of the other 20 per cent. will go into teaching in FE colleges, in independent schools or in other countries.

Mr. Evennett
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students enrolled on teacher training courses (a) this year, (b) in 1989, and (c) in 1985.

Mr. Fallon
Data on recruitment to teacher training courses in the current academic year are being collected and will be available shortly.The annual intakes to initial teacher training courses in 1989 and 1985 were as follows:--
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