Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Montessori Teaching.

Enda Kenny

Question:

406 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will make arrangements to grant full recognition to Montessori trained teachers to be eligible to participate in primary school teaching with full recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21921/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

Certain Montessori teachers are granted restricted recognition to teach in certain special schools and in special classes in mainstream schools. 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 trained teachers, who are entitled to restricted recognition, are those 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.

Issues related to the training and qualifications of primary school teachers are constantly under review. A review of the existing pre-service training of primary teachers is now at an advanced stage. As soon as this review has been completed, it is proposed to examine the question of the recognition of Montessori teachers as primary teachers. The issue raised by the Deputy will be examined as part of this examination.