To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the number of graduates, who have a primary degree in a science discipline, who progress into primary and post-primary teaching positions.

I refer to my answer to AQW 38063/11-15 tabled by Robin Swann and published in the Official Report on 21 November 2014, which details the position for primary school teachers with a science degree.

In relation to post primary school teachers, data held by the General Teaching Council (GTCNI) indicates that there are currently 894 teachers currently employed who hold a degree in which the main specialism is a science subject.

There may also be teachers employed in schools who hold a subsidiary science subject within their degree, or who have not advised the GTCNI of additional qualifications which they may hold over and above those required to teach here..

I am of course conscious of the importance of ensuring adequate appropriately trained science teachers in our schools. Consequently, when setting intakes to courses of initial teacher education my Department has advised the Higher Education Institutions to give priority to enrolling students to STEM subjects. The selection of students for entry to courses of initial teacher education is however a matter for the providing institution.