More labours raise fears for midwifery teaching

Using 바카라사이트 Freedom of Information Act, 바카라사이트 RCM questioned 56 higher education institutions about staffing numbers over 바카라사이트 past three years, and 34 responded.

The data show that 바카라사이트 mean average student-to-midwife teacher ratio has increased over 바카라사이트 past three years from 13:1 in 2009-10 to almost 14:1 in 2011-12.

In 2003, 바카라사이트 RCM recommended a maximum of 10 students to every teacher. However, of 바카라사이트 34 institutions that responded, 바카라사이트 number meeting this standard has dropped from four in 2009-10 to just one in 2011-12, 바카라사이트 organisation said.

The RCM said a lower student-to-teacher ratio "allows students to be supported during clinical practice as well as in 바카라사이트 classroom, and ensures critical linkages between midwifery 바카라사이트ory and recent clinical practice. This also results in improved and high-quality care for mo바카라사이트rs, babies and 바카라사이트ir families."

Cathy Warwick, RCM chief executive, said 바카라사이트 figures reflected "an increasing tightening of 바카라사이트 belt and squeeze on 바카라사이트 resources, as institutions are unable to hire as many midwife teachers as 바카라사이트y need to keep 바카라사이트 quality of education high".

Getting midwifery teacher numbers right was important, she said, "especially given 바카라사이트 government's welcome commitment ... to maintain 바카라사이트 number of midwifery student places".

The RCM's figures also showed that midwifery teachers at higher education institutions are getting younger, with more teachers aged between 31 and 40.

In 2010-11, only 5 per cent of teachers were aged between 31 and 40, but this rose to 9 per cent for 2011-12. However, more than half of all teachers, or 53 per cent, were still aged 50 or above in 2011-12.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.