Primary teachers 'need help to become scientists'

Primary school teachers should continue to be offered the training and assistance required to turn them into scientists capable of delivering education to young children across scientific disciplines, it is suggested.

Ken Mannion, director of the Centre for Science Education, notes the existence of Science Learning Centres that help to coach primary school teachers on the topics that they need to understand in order to do their jobs effectively.

But he adds that these are already overshadowed by the professional training available to secondary school teachers under the Continuing Professional Development programme.

A further problem arises from the fact that many primary school teachers have not trained to become scientists in their own education, he suggests.

"Most primary teachers have to teach science - and most do not have a qualification post-GCSE in science," Mr Mannion says.

This raises questions relating to their understanding and knowledge level of the subjects they are asked to deliver to their classes.