Vol. 548 No. 5
410 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to alleviate the shortage of qualified teachers at primary level and to improve pupil-teacher ratios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5292/02]
In 1997, 429 graduates qualified to teach in our training colleges. This Government has increased this number to 1,280 this year, and 1,440 next year.
In the next four years it is projected that 1,000 undergraduates will graduate from the training colleges each year. In addition it is projected that 280 post-graduates will graduate in 2002 and 440 in 2003. It is projected that 280 post-graduates will qualify in 2004 and 2005. The projections for post-graduates in 2004 and 2005 will be finalised after further discussions with the colleges of education.
In addition to increasing the output of graduates the Government has introduced other initiatives to increase the number of trained personnel. Bachelor of Education 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 to teach at primary level here.
Since September 1998, all primary degree holders who hold the higher diploma in education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers and since September 2000 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 Educational 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.
