UK News 28-08-2001 Worst Teaching Crisis Ever who: Former Chief Inspector of Schools Mike Tomlinson what: Says teaching profession is facing worst recruitment crisis in his working life when: Yesterday snippet: In an interview with the Guardian today, the head of England`s school inspection service says the teaching profession is facing its worst ever shortage. "I think over my period of time in education this is about the third major cycle of this sort," says Mike Tomlinson, head of Ofsted, who began teaching in 1965. "I do think this is probably the worst of the three - more widespread." Mr Tomlinson says revealed figures showing that 40% of new teachers are leaving the profession after less than three years in the classroom because they are not paid enough to get a foot on the property ladder. But a spokeswoman for the Department for Education and Skills dismissed his claims, reports The Independent. "The fact is there are more teachers in our classrooms today than in any year since 1984," says a statement from the ministry. "There are 12,000 more teachers in our classrooms today than in 1998." In March, the government implemented a system of bounties to encourage new recruits to the profession, recalls the BBC. Thes include bursaries of £150-a-week for people on teacher training courses, plus £150 towards childcare costs while people are on the courses and between £2,000 and £4,000 bonuses for accepting a teaching job after their training is complete. [... more]

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