Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Seán Ryan

Question:

102 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching days at primary level undertaken by untrained teachers for the six months of 1999; the comparative figure for the same period in 1998; the number of days worked by similar personnel at second level for these periods; 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. [25378/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The number of teaching days at primary level undertaken by untrained substitute teachers in the first six months of 1998 were 79,834. In the corresponding period in 1999 a total of 104,762 teaching days were taught by untrained substitute teachers.

The information in relation to the number of untrained teachers employed in second level schools is not available. It is Department policy that, in as far as is possible second level teachers should teach the subjects in which they are qualified.

Since coming into office, I have been concerned that there are untrained personnel working within the primary school system. I would take this opportunity to remind the Deputy that I have introduced a range of measures to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers. The intake of trainee primary teachers to the Colleges of Education in the 1998-99 session was one thousand and twenty eight and the projected intake in the 1999-2000 academic year is one thousand.

Between the 1999 and 2000 academic years a total of 1,380 newly trained teachers are due to graduate from the colleges of education. This includes 180 persons who will graduate prior to the end of the current school year. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved a number of other initiatives to reduce the number of untrained personnel. 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 qualification are now recognised as fully qualified.

Since September 1998, all primary degree holders who hold the higher diploma in education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers.

Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dun Laoghaire, and the AMI which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards are also recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers.

My decision to recognise fully qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification is also contributing to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers.

I am confident that these measures will reduce substantially the number of untrained teachers.