Vol. 553 No. 2
281 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 819 of 17 April 2002, holders of bachelor of arts and higher diploma are afforded full recognition as primary school teachers in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/02]
Recognised third level qualifications, together with the higher diploma in education, would normally allow the holders to be appointed to full-time positions in second level schools. However, these qualifications are not accepted for the purpose of recognition to teach in a permanent capacity in mainstream primary schools. Therefore, a person who holds a bachelor of arts and higher diploma would not be qualified to teach in a permanent capacity in mainstream primary schools.
However, my Department will grant restricted recognition to qualified second level teachers to teach in a permanent capacity in special schools, where a proportion of the pupils attending the school are of post-primary age – 12 years or older – and where second level programmes are being provided by the school. This recognition applies to all suitably qualified second level teachers and not just to holders of a bachelor of arts and higher diploma.
Further details in relation to the recognition of teaching qualifications for the purpose of teaching in national schools are contained in departmental circular 25/00. I have asked my officials to send a copy to the Deputy.
