Conor Lenihan
Question:417 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures he intends to take to tackle the problem of chronic teacher shortages in disadvantaged schools. [18702/01]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
Conor Lenihan
Question:421 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the chronic teacher shortages in disadvantaged schools; and if he has short-term policy measures to redress this matter. [18706/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 421 together.
I am aware that a number of primary schools are experiencing some difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers. This has arisen because of two main factors. This Government has increased demand for teachers generally by the creation of 2,315 extra posts to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio and increase support for children with a disability or disadvantage. The number of trained teachers graduating from our training colleges had fallen to a very low level, for example, 291 graduated in 1995. The Government has taken effective action to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers and alleviate these difficulties.
The total intake to the colleges of education for primary teaching in the 1999-2000 academic year was increased to 1,283. This compares with an intake of 500 in 1996-97. There are approximately 1,000 students again enrolled in the first year of the undergraduate training course in the 2000-01 academic year. A further postgraduate course commenced in February this year with an intake of 280 students, bringing the total to 1,280.
The intake to the undergraduate training course for primary teachers will continue at the current level of 1,000 for the 2001-02 and 2002-03 academic years. In addition negotiations are taking place with the colleges of education for the provision of a further postgraduate course next year. Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 qualified primary teachers will graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated.
Other initiatives to increase the number of trained personnel have also been introduced. B.Ed graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast, who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification are now recognised as fully qualified.
Since September 1998, all primary degree holders who hold the Higher Diploma in Education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers. In the current academic year teachers employed in a temporary capacity holding a degree and the Higher Diploma in Education are paid on the trained basic scale for teachers. Teachers trained in EU countries employed in primary schools are now remunerated at the trained rate pending their obtaining the necessary competence in the Irish language. EU trained teachers now have up to five years to obtain the necessary competence in the language. In addition, for the period of two years from 1 September 2000, teachers trained outside the EU whose qualifications are accepted by my Department will be granted provisional recognition for five years on the same basis as EU trained teachers.
Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the full time course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dún Laoghaire, which is recognised by the National Council for Edu cational Awards, or the Montessori qualification which is awarded on completion of the three year full time course in the AMI College, are recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers and are recognised to teach in certain categories of special schools and classes.
The decision to recognise fully qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification is also contributing to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers.