Vol. 516 No. 2
2 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Montessori teachers are eligible to teach in primary schools; the number of qualified Montessori teachers who work in primary schools; and if he has satisfied himself that standards can be maintained. [7142/00]
Certain Montessori teachers are granted restricted recognition to teach in certain special schools and classes where Irish is not a curricular requirement. In addition, my Department has recently decided that such teachers are also eligible to apply for and take up positions as resource teachers for pupils with special needs. Information on the number of Montessori teachers who work in primary schools is not readily available and I have asked my officials to correspond directly with the Deputy in relation to this.
The Montessori teachers who are entitled to restricted recognition are teachers with the Montessori qualification, which is awarded on completion of the three year full-time course in the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) College, Mount St. Mary's, Milltown, Dublin 14, and teachers trained in St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dún Laoghaire, who have successfully completed the diploma or degree in humanities in Montessori education recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards.
Montessori teachers are not currently recognised as fully qualified primary teachers and, in the circumstances, are not entitled to take up permanent posts in mainstream schools or posts as remedial teachers.
Issues related to the training and qualifications of primary school teachers are kept under review. At present the existing pre-service training of primary teachers is being reviewed. A working group undertaking that review is expected to complete its work before the summer. Following completion of that review, it is proposed to put in place a review of the recognition of Montessori teachers as primary teachers and for remedial teaching.
In the interim I am satisfied that the Montessori teachers who are recognised by my Depart ment are well qualified to teach in the settings for which they are currently recognised and I am unaware of any decline in teaching standards in these areas.
Where outreach centres exist in relation to Montessori colleges, is the Minister satisfied that the same level of quality assurance applies across the board in the Montessori area in comparison to the conventional teacher training college?
The same level would have to apply. If the Deputy gives me information on any individual situation about which she is concerned I will certainly have it examined.
Is there any plan to extend the Montessori input currently in place at primary level to higher grades?
That matter will be reviewed after the working group completes its work on pre-service training for primary teachers. It is expected to complete its work by the summer after which there will be a review of the recognition of Montessori teachers as primary and remedial teachers. Obviously, that would have to take into consideration all the elements that make up that kind of teaching.
