AQW 7642/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 27/02/2024
Answered On Date: 06/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education why bursaries are not provided for courses that lead to qualified teacher status in Northern Ireland, as is the case in England.

Answer:

My Department does not currently operate any bursary schemes for ITE programmes in Northern Ireland as (unlike other parts of the United Kingdom); there has traditionally been an oversupply in the overall number of teachers in Northern Ireland.

We are, however, aware of recent concerns about teacher supply issues, particularly in some post-primary subjects. We recognise the need to develop a sector-wide approach to strategic teacher workforce planning. My Department therefore plans to engage with key stakeholders to understand better any workforce shortages and gaps.

While consideration may be given to the introduction of ITE bursary schemes to address specific teacher shortages, such schemes would have to be tightly targeted and would remain subject to available funding.

It is recognised that the existence of bursaries in England could attract individuals who might otherwise have considered undertaking their ITE programme in Northern Ireland. However, teacher supply issues are multifaceted, and it is essential to note that there are many factors which determine students’ decisions on whether to apply for an ITE course in Northern Ireland.

It should also be noted that the ITE courses provided in Northern Ireland do not lead to Qualified Teacher Status, rather they lead to qualifications which meet the requirements of the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland’s qualification rules (as set out in GTCNI Guidance 01/2015 (Revised March 2017)).