Which engine type is best for pupils, petrol or diesel?

Both engine types, petrol and diesel have their own advantages.

There is some disagreement about which is the best type of engine for teaching pupils to drive on, petrol or diesel?

Pupils do not know which is best and some instructors seem to disagree based on what they drive. Basically a "Mine is best" attitude. Understandable, but regrettable.

The difference in terms of use is that petrol engines are more responsive whilst diesel engines do more miles per gallon. Both are advantages in their own right but not mutually exclusive.

For the diesel camp the advent of further developments of the turbo-diesel over the twin rail design has led to increased responsiveness whilst over in the petrol camp the fuel management systems have been developed to an extent where inroads have been made into the fuel return deficit between the two.

For you, the customer there is only good news. There is not a massive diference between the two any more so it really does not make any difference which you learn in.