Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, has quizzed an Education Minister on planned Labour cuts to Physics education. The Labour Government’s plan to axe the Stimulating Physics Network (SPN) has gone down like a lead balloon with local science teachers. A local Physics teacher and South West Devon constituent described the cost of the physics programme to Ms Smith as an "absolute bargain" compared to the gains provided.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, asked:
What plans does the Minister have to fill the gap left by the SPN, in order to ensure that the value of physics teaching in schools is maintained, and to reassure teachers, including my constituent, who have been committed to delivering the SPN?
Minister Janet Daby, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education Janet Daby, answered:
We absolutely support girls and young women to take STEM subjects. It is interesting that the Conservatives did funding mid-year, which is unusual. As I am sure that they will be aware, hard decisions need to be made because of the difficult fiscal situation inherited by this Government. We will continue to do more to get girls into STEM subjects; we are absolutely committed to this.
Ms Smith was wholly unimpressed with the non-answer provided by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education Janet Daby and has resorted to asking the question again in a written question.
Reflecting on the Minister’s answer, Ms Smith stated:
At a time when our region needs physics education more than ever to support the growth in defence jobs, the Labour Government are cutting funding.
The Stimulating Physics Network (SPN) has been working to improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of non-specialist science teachers in secondary schools, with outstanding results: in schools that take part, there are 6% more A-level physics entrants, and 29% more girls taking physics.
A local Physics teacher and South West Devon constituent described the cost of SPN to me as an ‘absolute bargain’ compared to the gains provided.
Labour's solution to improve education? To axe this vital scheme on 31st March.
I asked an Education Minister what plans she has to fill this gap and ensure that the value of physics teaching in schools is maintained. The Minister's response was so poor that I've resorted to asking again in a written question.
