Vol. 529 No. 1
1182 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of long serving substitute-temporary teachers in primary schools; if it is his intention to recognise this group in terms of status and grade; if a proper conversion course will be made available to the group instead of the current course which requires a primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1524/01]
The statistics requested by the Deputy will be forwarded directly to him.
There are no proposals to recognise unqualified temporary or substitute teachers who have taught in primary schools on a casual basis for a period of time. As a response to a shortage in the supply of primary teachers, my Department requested the colleges of education to provide a postgraduate course to enable degree holders train as primary teachers. The duration of this full-time course is 18 months. A number of such courses have been held in recent years and a further course is due to commence shortly.
There are no proposals to provide any other type of conversion course for persons who have taught as unqualified temporary or substitute teachers for a period of time but do not have a degree.
