DES News Releases

Teacher training institutions are considerably exceeding their planned numbers in non‐shortage subjects, particularly physical education, and falling well below them in subjects in which there is an acute shortage. An increase in recruitment to courses in mathematics, physical sciences, and craft design & technology is the first step to correct the mismatch between output and the needs of schools. The Department recognises that a precise match is neither possible nor necessarily desirable, but without clearer direction the training system could produce large numbers of trained teachers who, because of their subject, have little prospect of finding teaching posts. Institutions are advised to consider providing opportunities for non‐shortage subject students to take a second course in a shortage subject where staff and resources' are available. They should also con‐sider ending very small subject groups and using staff for other work such as in‐service training. Even in the case of shortage subjects rationalisation should be considered, but no action taken without full consultation with DES and HMI.