Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Richard Bruton

Question:

425 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a crash course which would allow unqualified substitute or temporary primary teachers gain recognition where they have established a significant body of teaching experience. [10737/00]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a range of measures have been introduced by this Government to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers.

The intake of trainee primary teachers to the colleges of education was increased substantially in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 sessions. The total projected intake in the 1999-2000 academic year is 1,283 compared with an intake of 500 in 1996-97.

Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 newly trained teachers shall graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated.

Persons who hold a primary degree may apply for admission to a post graduate course conducted by the primary teacher training colleges. These courses are conducted when it is deemed necessary to increase the supply of qualified primary teachers and there are currently two such courses being conducted. The courses, which are generally of 18 months duration, enable a primary degree holder become fully qualified for appointment in a primary school. There are no proposals to establish a crash course to enable persons without a degree serving as unqualified substitute or temporary teachers gain recognition as fully qualified primary teachers.

Richard Bruton

Question:

426 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish criteria for the appointment of resource teachers which would allow unqualified substitute teachers with substantial experience to apply. [10738/00]

Currently, my Department will grant restricted recognition to teach in special schools and classes to certain teachers who have not graduated in the normal manner from the colleges of education in Ireland. These teachers include teachers who trained outside the State, teachers with the Montessori qualification which is awarded on completion of the three year full time course in the Association Montessori Internationale – AMI – College, Milltown, Dublin 14 and teachers with the national degree or diploma in humanities in Montessori education from St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dún Laoghaire. This restricted recognition also allows the teachers outlined above to take up positions as resource teachers for pupils with special needs.

Resource teachers form a very important part of the educational system and it is appropriate that they would possess qualifications that would enable them to carry out their tasks in an effective manner. In the circumstances I do not propose to establish criteria which would allow unqualified substitute teachers.

Richard Bruton

Question:

427 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that unqualified substitute teachers were allowed to do a crash course in 1975 which conferred full recognition and some applicants were arbitrarily excluded because they had not reached 35 years of age at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10739/00]

The purpose of the crash course referred to by the Deputy was to enable persons who had taught in an untrained capacity in primary schools to be recognised as trained teachers.

Persons under 35 years of age were excluded as the course was designed for those who had taught for many years in an untrained capacity.

Richard Bruton

Question:

428 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of untrained substitute or temporary teachers in service; and the number who have more than 500 days of cumulative teaching days. [10740/00]

There are approximately 700 teachers employed in a temporary capacity in primary schools who are currently in receipt of the untrained rate of salary.

The majority of these persons are employed on a short-term basis as boards of management are required to make every effort, including advertising on a national newspaper, to obtain the services of a qualified teacher.

The information requested in regard to the number who have more than 500 days of cumulative service will be compiled and forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Top
Share