Government must wake up over STEM teaching

The Government is not doing enough to address the acute problem of a lack of STEM graduates going into teaching roles and need to “wake up” to the situation, members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union will hear today.

Incoming NASUWT National President Rosemary Carabine said while it was positive that more students were studying STEM subjects at university, given the benefits to the economy and society, they were able to access bigger salaries than teaching in industry.

This was leading to higher exit rates and some school science departments having to use non-specialist teachers to deliver chemistry, biology and physics lessons, she said.

Delivering her keynote address to the NASUWT Annual Conference in Glasgow she said: “More young people taking STEM subjects at university is good news, especially as STEM subjects have a positive impact on the economy and society.