RECRUITMENT to teacher training courses has hit a seven year high, according to figures published this month.
Education and skills secretary Estelle Morris has welcomed a report from the Teacher Training Agency which shows that almost 29,000 people started PGCE and BEd courses this year.
This is now the second year in a row that recruitment to teacher training has risen.
What makes these new figures so encouraging is that they follow eight successive years of declining numbers.
Announcing an extra year of training bursaries for primary postgraduate trainees starting in 2002, Ms Morris said: "This is good news for parents, pupils and the teaching profession.
"These excellent figures show the Government's strategy for recruiting more teachers is working.
"I am glad that increases have been especially large in subjects where schools have had the greatest recruitment difficulties.
"Recruitment to maths courses is up 20 per cent on last year.
"Meanwhile, technology is up 15 per cent, with total recruitment to training courses for secondary teachers up nine per cent.
"Last year I was able to welcome the first rise in teacher training recruitment for eight years.
"This year's rise is more excellent news for the profession, parents and pupils across the country.
"And, it also shows that we are recruiting the teachers we need for the future."
However Ms Morris warned against complacency, adding: "Whilst these new figures will be of help in the future, we will continue to do all we can to ensure that schools have the teachers they need in the shorter term.
"This means focusing on retention as well as recruitment."
The Teacher Training Agency's chief executive Ralph Tabberer added: "Increasing the number of recruits for the second year in succession, at a time when competition for good graduates has been tougher than ever, is a remarkable achievement.
"Every place is important and, in the year ahead, we shall try to maintain our success and concentrate on innovative ways to address the priority subjects."
November 6, 2001 19:11
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article