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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 4

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Michael Bell

Question:

63 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching days at primary level undertaken by untrained teachers for the first three months of 1999; the comparative figure for the same period in 1998; the number of days worked by similar personnel at second level for the same period; his views on the fact that so many children are being taught by those without the required qualification; the steps, if any, being taken to reduce the use of personnel without teaching qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15599/99]

Records in my Department indicate that a total of 20,059 days were worked by untrained teachers in the first three months of this year. The corresponding figure for the first three months of 1998 was 14,962 days. There are no similar details available in relation to second level.

Since coming into office I have been concerned at the large number of untrained personnel working within the primary education system. Accordingly, I have introduced a range of measures which are designed to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers. Firstly, I have ensured that the intake of trainee teachers to the colleges of education in 1998-99 was increased to over 1,000. This includes 748 students who will pursue the three year B. Ed. Degree programme, while 280 degree holders have been admitted to an 18 month full-time post-graduate training course. There were 500 entrants on the 1996-97 year.

Additionally, B. Ed. graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast, who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualifications will be recognised as fully trained.

I am also examining the possibility of the University of Limerick providing a one year conversion course for degree holders who hold the Higher Diploma in Education and who either have Irish as part of their degree or have Irish to Grade C at the leaving certificate or its equivalent.

I further decided that from 1 September 1998, all primary degree holders who also hold the Higher Diploma in Education are recognised as fully trained for the purposes of providing substitution service.

Finally, Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dún Laoghaire, and which is recognised by the National Council for Education Awards, are granted recognition as fully trained substitutes since 1 September 1998.

In all, these initiatives will have a significant impact in reducing the number of untrained substitutes days in our primary schools.

In relation to second level schools there had been some difficulties in finding trained teachers in a number of key subjects. A working group composed of representatives of the universities, my Department and the Higher Education Authority, under the aegis of the authority, was reconvened to undertake an in-depth review of future needs for second level teachers. This review focused both on total needs and on needs by subject grouping, where feasible, and examined all relevant factors such as pupil numbers, pupil teacher ratios, teacher retirements and career breaks. In light of the recommendations of the working group, I agreed to an increase in the number of places, from 800 to 940, on the Higher Diploma in Education courses for the current academic year. Of the 140 additional places, 100 places are specifically for teachers of Irish, religion, Italian, Spanish and key sciences. The further 40 places are for the Higher Diploma in Education course through Irish which has been introduced at National University of Ireland, Galway.
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