More cash help for trainee secondary school teachers in key subjects

Commenting on the Teacher Training Agency announcement, Steve Sinnott General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said:

“I welcome the increase in bursaries and golden hellos although they should not be necessary in the first place.  I congratulate the Teacher Training Agency in achieving a turnaround in student recruitment but there is no substitute for levels of pay which sustain the attractiveness of the profession over time or getting rid of student fees which have hit young people hard.

“But sustaining entry to primary education must be a top priority as well.  Primary teachers teach the shortage subjects of maths and science day in and day out.  I would want further consideration to be given to boosting their financial support as well.”