The_Guardian_-_2016-12-29

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Teacher training
Labour warns of teacher training crisis after
targets missed again
Not enough trainee teachers began courses in more than three-quarters of subjects, including maths
and computing
The National Union of Teachers has also spoken of a ‘crisis in teacher recruitment and retention’ just
as demand is increasing. Photograph: The Guardian
Rowena Mason Deputy political editor
Wednesday 28 December 2016 13.30 GMT Last modified on Wednesday 28 December 2016
22.00 GMT
Labour has accused the government of presiding over a crisis in teacher training after it failed to hit
the necessary recruitment levels for a fifth year in a row.
Not enough trainee teachers began courses in more than three-quarters of subjects, with maths,
physics, design and technology, computing and business studies all falling at least 15% short of their
targets.
About 6,000 trainee teachers began courses after achieving a 2:2 or lower in their degree subject, and
less than half of trainees are studying for their qualifications in universities, Labour said.
The only subjects to meet the required recruitment levels were PE, history, biology and geography,
while English and chemistry narrowly missed them.
Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said it amounted to a teacher training crisis that
would lead to shortages.
“Every year the government miss their targets and it’s subjects that are crucial to our future economy
that are worst hit,” she said. “The Tories really need to get a grip on this. They are failing in their