A new survey reveals that there are now more secondary school teachers with degrees and that more lessons are taught by teachers with degrees in their subjects than in 1996.

However, the 2003 Secondary Schools Curriculum and Staffing Survey also indicates that problems in maths recruitment since the 1990's have not been fully overcome.

Charles Clarke, education secretary, said: "These results are promising especially considering there are 25,000 more teachers in the classroom since 1997, almost 18,000 of whom are in secondary schools.

"Ofsted says we have the best generation of teachers ever and the best generation of Newly Qualified Teachers ever. Our pupils can expect top quality teaching in the classroom with further improvement on the way. Change takes time to filter through and I am confident we are on the right track.

"On maths recruitment, between 1992 and 1998 graduate recruits to maths teaching courses fell by 34 per cent, but from 1998 to September 2002 graduate recruits to maths rose by 50 per cent. Maths recruitment is a priority for me and it takes time to turn round but we are getting there.

"Vacancy rates for maths teachers have fallen by 22 per cent in the past two years and the latest acceptances to maths PGCE courses are up by 35 per cent on this time last year.

"A proportion of maths teachers are listed in the Survey as having 'No Qualification' in maths but this doesn't mean they are unqualified. Most of these teachers are likely to be qualified and graduates in subjects such as physics and ICT. They may only teach one or two periods of maths a week.

"But we are not complacent. I am also looking forward to Professor Adrian Smith's Independent Post 14 Mathematics Inquiry which is due to be published next month. We are already seeing significant improvements in recruitment to maths teaching and I am keen to use Professor Smith's Inquiry to raise standards in maths further."

Phil Willis, education spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said: "Labour's failure to provide all our children with appropriately qualified teaching is scandalous.

"We now know why for seven years the Labour government has avoided Liberal Democrat calls to carry out the curriculum and staffing survey.

"With figures worse now than in 1997, the Liberal Democrats call on the government to match their pledge that every child should be taught by a teacher fully qualified in the subject they teach."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, said: "Research shows us that good subject knowledge underpins effective teaching.

"We must be concerned about the number of teachers particularly in the areas of maths, science and modern foreign languages who do not have a degree qualification in these subjects.

"However, shortage of teachers in these subjects is not a new story.

"The government needs to support these teachers through effective continuing professional development to ensure that teachers feel confident in their subject knowledge and their ability to adopt effective teaching strategies."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "This survey hides more than it reveals. It is a classic example of spin concealing the facts.

"All the evidence is that teacher shortages continue particularly in the core subjects of Maths, Science and foreign languages. Headteachers are still having to adopt coping strategies to provide a full curriculum.

"The message behind this survey is that the government is still failing to tackle the root causes of teacher shortage.

"In these circumstances it is a tribute to teachers and headteachers that there remains in secondary schools such high quality work and dedication."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

PAT General Secretary Jean Gemmell told ePolitix.com: "These figures are concerning.

"Problems in recruiting and retaining teachers make it difficult for many schools to retain sufficient numbers of specialist teachers. Successfulimplementation of the Workforce Remodelling Agreement may help to make teaching a more attractive profession.

"However, the report may not convey the numbers of teachers who might not have a degree in the subject they teach but do have relevant qualifications,for example those with Physics degrees teaching Maths or language or humanities teachers teaching subjects they studied as supplementary subjectsat university or for part of their degree course."