We agree that more teachers need to be reached through training. By the end of this year, a further 27,000 teachers would have attended the five-day training course to increase their subject knowledge. In the next financial year the government would be supporting another 59 numeracy consultants, bringing the total to 375. Ms Morris said ministers knew there had been a problem with initial teacher training in the past. That is why they had introduced new tests in numeracy, literacy and information and communication technology for trainee teachers.
Tests boycott That is proving controversial, however.
The students' union is urging local ballots on boycotting the tests. The students had no prior warning that it would be a course requirement. NUS appreciates the concerns over the quality of teacher training but believes that the tests should be withdraw this year and properly implemented, in consultation with NUS and teaching unions, next year. NUS is suggesting to students' unions that they ballot their teacher training students on a boycott of this year's tests.