Vol. 441 No. 5
210 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she will prepare guidelines to ensure consistent treatment of higher diploma students in regard to teaching hours and the type of classes which can be allocated to these students; the plans, if any, she has for an allowance in respect of the hours taught by higher diploma students and the introduction of travelling expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The universities are autonomous institutions and the arrangements in relation to teaching hours and other matters connected with the teaching practice required as part of higher diploma in education courses are matters between the students, the participating schools and the education departments of the universities concerned. I have no plans to introduce either an allowance or travelling expenses in relation to this teaching practice although I do understand that student teachers do, in some cases at least, receive certain payments from the schools involved.
