Vol. 523 No. 5
295 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give full recognition to Montessori teachers on the same basis as primary teachers who have been trained abroad, namely that they must meet a test of competence in Irish within a fixed period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21659/00]
Certain Montessori teachers are granted restricted recognition to teach in certain special schools and classes. 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.
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 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.
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. Following completion of that review it is proposed to put in place a review of the recognition of Montessori teachers as primary teachers. Questions such as that raised by the Deputy will be examined in the context of the review process.
