That compares with a decline of 239, or 10.3 per cent, in the three years between 2003-04 and 2005-06.On the recently published figures, I point out that there has been, at last, a reversal of the persistent decline in pre-school teacher numbers that was experienced under the previous Administration as a direct consequence of its decision to repeal the schools code in 2002. I listened as closely as I could to Mr Ingram's reply, and I am pleased that he did not entirely repeat the First Minister's mistake of last Thursday.