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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Teaching Council.

Ulick Burke

Question:

391 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for the establishment of a teaching council; if so, its proposed functions, membership and a guideline of timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20073/98]

I recently launched the report of the steering group on the establishment of a teaching council and I am happy to inform the Deputy that preparation of the scheme of a Bill to establish the council on a statutory basis has already commenced in my Department. It is my intention to submit the scheme to the Government as soon as possible for approval to begin the drafting of the Bill.

The teaching council will be an autonomous, statutory, self-regulating body, with the role of setting and promoting the highest professional standards for first and second level teachers. It will have a statutory role in relation to the regulation of the profession and the professional affairs of teachers and an advisory role in relation to other matters.

The composition of a teaching council will reflect the scope of its work. The council will be composed of a majority of teachers. Other parties who have a legitimate interest in the affairs of the teaching council, such as school managerial associations, educational institutions involved in teacher education at primary and post-primary level, parents and the Minister, will also be represented on the council.

As the Bill to establish the teaching council has not yet been drafted, it is not possible to indicate a likely timescale for the remainder of the work. However, I am confident that the work can be completed without any unnecessary delay.

The establishment of a teaching council represents an essential step towards the recognition of teaching as a fully fledged profession. I consider that it is particularly timely that a statutory teaching council be established to protect and promote the status of teaching and the advancement of the profession

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