asked the Minister for Education the conditions for the employment of guidance teachers, on quota, in post primary schools, with reference to (a) teaching hours required, if any, and (b) qualifications; if he intends to widen the availability of such teachers to all post primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Guidance Teachers.
35.
Post-primary schools with an enrolment of 250 or more may have a qualified guidance teacher in addition to the number of teachers permitted by the quota regulations. Such teachers are required to give a minimum of three hours per week to normal class teaching and a minimum of 12 hours to guidance.
Schools with less than 250 pupils may employ a qualified guidance teacher within the authorised teacher quota provided a reasonable proportion of such teacher's time is devoted to guidance work. In all cases, the guidance teacher must be a fully qualified post-primary teacher holding recognised qualifications in guidance.
I have already taken steps which will contribute to the capacity of schools to recruit guidance teachers as they become available and to provide encouragement to existing teachers in post-primary schools to undertake courses in guidance.
The adjustment in the pupil/teacher ratios, which I announced soon after the Government took office in July 1977, will facilitate smaller schools in relation to the provision of guidance teacher services within the normal quota of the school.
I have arranged also that in the case of a school of 250 pupils or more the school authorities may be authorised by my Department to appoint a teacher outside the normal quota of the school for the purpose of the teacher's attendance at a guidance training course.