Vol. 513 No. 6
84 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the input, if any, his Department has into the training programmes for prospective primary school teachers at the relevant third level colleges; if these training programmes or the syllabus contain instructions on the way in which to identify the symptoms of dyslexia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3328/00]
Students undertaking the bachelor of education degree or the graduate diploma in education, primary teaching in St. Patrick's and Mary Immaculate colleges of education now follow a course module on special education. This module covers the broad range of issues in special education.
In the Church of Ireland and Coláiste Mhuire, Marino colleges of education, particular attention is paid to special needs and learning difficulties arising from various factors under Method Studies in English and Mathematics.
In the case of the Froebel College of Education, students have a course module under remedial work. This deals with learning difficulties arising from special needs.
An expert group was established in 1999 to examine the content and duration of pre-service teacher education programmes, primary, in the colleges of education. Issues such as that mentioned by the Deputy are being raised as part of that review. The report of the review group should be completed later this year.
