Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many institutions in the United Kingdom provide training for those wishing to qualify as imams; how many places each offered in 2002-03; and if he will make a statement. - Inc fact that 12 universities currently offer courses in Islamic studies, but number of places on each course is not held centrally.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many institutions in the United Kingdom provide training for those wishing to qualify as imams; how many places each offered in 2002-03; and if he will make a statement. [136103] Alan Johnson: The latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that 12 universities currently offer courses in Islamic studies, although completion of these courses would not necessarily entitle the successful student to qualify as an Imam. The number of places on each course is not held centrally. The Home Office and Learning and Skills Council have recently invited representatives of the Islamic community to join a new working group to advise on training and qualifications for Imams, including pilot programmes to test different models. The group's interim advice (due in spring 2004) will inform the development of generic competence-based qualifications for community leadership which may be supported by the Learning and Skills Council.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 136103; 413 c1482W;413 c1478W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Curriculum Higher education Qualifications Universities Training Student numbers Imams
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk