Debt and low salaries may deter would-be teachers

Fewer graduates are entering the teaching profession due to the coupling of high levels of student debt and uncompetitive pay, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has claimed.

Barry Fawcett, Head of Teachers' Pay at the organisation, suggested that the slowing UK economy will add to students' debt concerns and dissuade them from undertaking further training before they enter the jobs market, as well as prompting them to look for better paid jobs.

He noted that 'pay is falling in relative terms', adding: 'The salary expectations in teaching are worse than other areas of employment which they could go to with their degree.'

Mr Fawcett also stated that career progression in teaching is slower than in other professions.

Recent figures from the Education Data Survey revealed that applications to teacher training declined by 9% in February year-on-year.