Trainee teachers 'face huge debt'

Some student teachers say they regret their career choice

A third of student teachers will leave university with debts of more than £15,000, a survey suggests.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers found 73% expected to take 10 to 20 years to pay off the costs they incurred while studying.

One in 10 of the 200 students who responded to the survey said they did not expect to remain within the profession for more than five years.

The ATL begins its annual conference in Bournemouth on Monday.

'Parents can't help'

David Ambler, the branch secretary in Birmingham, will propose a resolution, calling on the government to reform funding for Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) qualifications.

He wants the government to provide bursaries like those available to medicine and dentistry students.

Mr Ambler is expected to say: "Traditionally, parents have been the financial safety net for many students, including student teachers, but many of them are facing their own financial difficulties as they see retirement looming and their pensions not matching their expectations.

"In the future it would seem likely that parents will not be able to come to the rescue of their offspring."

According to the ATL, the burden of debt is greatest for student teachers taking traditional four-year BEd courses because they do not qualify for the £6,000 training bursary available to postgraduate student teachers.

Its survey found 10% of student teachers regretted starting courses because of the debt levels.

'Record recruitment'

The National Union of Students president, Mandy Telford, said: "We know top-up fees will act as a huge deterrent for students from non-traditional backgrounds and will also lead to potential students choosing their course based on the level of debt they will graduate with and the money they think they can make after graduation.

"Clearly, a profession such as teaching will be heavily hit if more graduates are looking for the best paid jobs to try and manage their future debts."

But a spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills said: "The fact that there are 25,000 more teachers than in 1997 and the highest number for 20 years speaks for itself.

"An all-time record number of graduates have entered teacher training this year, and BEd recruitment is at its highest since 2000-01 - there is no doubt that teaching remains a popular career."

She said the government's proposals would mean lower weekly debt repayments for teachers.

"For example, a teacher earning around £21,500 will pay back £11.25 a week instead of the £19.90 they are paying back now. That is fairer."

There would also be grants of up to £2,700 a year and university bursaries of at least £300 for the poorest students facing £3,000 fees.

A review of the "gateways into the professions" - including teaching - was being undertaken.

The ATL conference lasts until Thursday.