Financial incentives of up to £20,000 per student to attract the best graduates into teaching subjects such as maths, chemistry, physics and computer science in Wales.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The latest figures show there has been a 3.9% increase in postgrad teacher training applications and a 2% increase in acceptances in Wales, with 3,500 in total for teacher training places in 2016/17.
Every year the Welsh Government invests in the teacher training incentive scheme to attract graduates who want to undertake post-graduate courses so they can teach in classrooms in Wales.
The highest value incentives are targeted toward graduates training to teach physics, chemistry, mathematics, Welsh, computer science and foreign languages who hold a first class degree, with incentives in place for those with for 2.1 and 2.2 degrees.
The funding for those wanting to start courses in September 2017 includes:
- The highest value incentives of up to £20,000 to be available for new students starting postgraduate Initial Teacher Education courses in the subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry and Welsh.
- Those training for subjects of modern foreign languages and ICT will be eligible for incentives of up to £15,000.
Kirsty Williams said:
“To create an education system that is a source of national pride, we must attract the very best to the teaching profession.
“While teacher vacancy rates in Wales are comparatively low, it is important that we attract graduates with specialist knowledge of our priority subjects, such as maths, physics, and computer science. These incentives will help do just that.
“Alongside our reforms to initial teacher education, professional standards and professional learning, these incentives will help to raise the standard of teaching in Wales as part of our national mission of education reform.”