asked the Minister for Education the percentage of graduates from the teacher training colleges who failed to obtain full time employment in each year since 1980, setting out what these percentage reflect, bearing in mind the present wastage in the system and the dramatic fall in the four to 11 years old age group, the employment prospects for future graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Permanent Teaching Posts.
The number of graduates who did not secure a permanent appointment to teaching posts is as follows:
1980 |
60 |
(6) |
7 per cent of graduates |
1981 |
64 |
(7) |
6 per cent of graduates |
1982 |
36 |
(17) |
4 per cent of graduates |
1983 |
140 |
(83) |
16 per cent of graduates |
1984 |
343 |
(165) |
42 per cent of graduates |
1985 |
452 |
(221) |
68 per cent of graduates |
The figure in brackets represent the number of those graduates who are working in temporary posts or doing continuous work as substitute teachers.
My Department keeps under constant review the factors which determine the supply and demand for fully qualified primary teachers. When it became evident that the wastage from the profession was declining and that there was a reduction in the actual number of births the Department reduced the intake to the colleges of education firstly by discontinuing the one year graduate course and secondly by reducing gradually the number of students accepted for the B.Ed. course.
I am hopeful that the foregoing measures which have also taken into account the need for substitute teachers to replace teachers absent through illness, maternity leave or study leave and for temporary teachers to replace teachers availing themselves of the recently introduced career breaks scheme, will result in a position whereby all graduates will have prospects of employment within a reasonable period following graduation.