25/09/2003

Rise in degree qualified teachers: survey

More secondary school teachers have degrees and more lessons are taught by teachers with degrees in that subject, according to the results of a new survey.

It compares today's figures against staffing information for England in 1996 - the last time the survey was carried out - and shows a 12% increase in the overall percentage of full time teachers with a degree. The survey also indicates that there was an 8% increase in subject periods taught by full time teachers with a degree in those subjects. There was also no change in the overall percentage of full time teachers teaching subjects without a post A-level qualification in these subjects.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke said the results are promising, "especially considering there are 25,000 more teachers in the classroom since 1997, almost 18,000 of whom are in secondary schools".

He said that maths recruitment is a priority and progress is being made. There has been a 35% increase in the number of people joining maths PGCE courses.

Mr Clarke also said that while some maths teachers are listed as having 'no qualification' in the subject, most of them are likely to be graduates in subjects like physics and ICT.

"Ofsted says we have the best generation of teachers ever and the best generation of Newly Qualified Teachers ever," said Mr Clarke.

"Our pupils can expect top quality teaching in the classroom with further improvement on the way. Change takes time to filter through and I am confident we are on the right track."

(gmcg)

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