Vol. 553 No. 6
147 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reforms he intends to introduce to teacher training courses as outlined in the programme for Government; the projected timescale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14835/02]
In April of this year my colleague, Deputy Woods, launched the report of the working group on primary preservice teacher education entitled Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century. The report is the first comprehensive examination of preservice teacher education at primary level since the 1970s.
It contains some 61 recommendations covering issues such as the length of the current teacher training programmes, the content and structure of those programmes, institutional arrangements for delivery of training, student selection and student assessment. I am not in a position at this stage to give a definitive response to the Deputy until I have had an opportunity to consider the report in some detail, with particular regard to its resource implications and the likely impact of the recommendations on teacher supply in the short to medium term.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 103.
