The government must “wake up” to the acute problem of a lack of science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) specialists going into teaching roles, a union leader will say today.
Addressing the NASUWT conference in Glasgow today, the union’s president, Rosemary Carabine, will warn that teachers’ pay is lower than in most professional occupations, and that for those who study computer science, maths and physics, it is “even more uncompetitive”.
Ms Carabine, who is a chemistry teacher in Essex, will say that the government is “not doing enough” to address the problem.
Delivering her keynote address in Glasgow, she will say: “More young people taking Stem subjects at university is good news, especially as Stem subjects have a positive impact on the economy and society.
“Sadly these students are not then opting to go into teaching - they are typically able to access a higher starting wage in industry.
“Teacher exit rates are far more severe in Stem subjects. Teachers in general are currently paid less than most other professional occupations, and pay is even more uncompetitive for those with degrees in computer science, maths and physics.
‘Boost salaries’ to improve teacher recruitment
“Governments across the UK are not doing enough, quickly enough, to address these problems.
“They need to boost salaries and improve pay incentives. When will they wake up? There is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis. All teachers deserve a competitive salary, whatever subject they teach.”
Ms Carabine will go on to tell members that the NASUWT will always defend the rights of teachers, telling them: “Together we will strive to allow teachers to use their professional judgement, be free to do the job they have been trained for and love. We will continue to fight against policies that are a barrier to this.”
The government is set to miss its teacher trainee recruitment target for the second year in a row, despite an increase in bursaries, according to an expert forecast published last month.
The National Foundation for Educational Research said that nine out of 17 secondary subjects - physics, computing, design and technology, business studies, modern foreign languages, religious education, music, drama and art and design - are expected to be 20 per cent or more below the DfE targets set in 2022-23.
And Stem-focused bursaries will not prove “anywhere near sufficient” to tackle long-standing teacher shortages, particularly in physics and computer science, a committee of MPs has warned.
A Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry report into diversity and inclusion in Stem, published last month, recommends that the government sets a target for every student to be taught Stem subjects by teachers with subject-specific qualifications by 2030.
