Vol. 577 No. 3
46 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has reduced the number of full-time places available at the colleges of education to enable graduates to train to become primary school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30985/03]
The graduate diploma course is a full-time course run to enable third level graduates to train as primary teachers. The course was introduced as a response to a shortage in the supply of primary teachers. It was first provided in the 1995-96 academic year in four of the colleges of education and has been repeated on a number of occasions since. The most recent course commenced in February of this year. The intake to the postgraduate courses since their introduction is as follows:
|
Academic Year |
Intake |
|
1995-96 |
180 |
|
1996-97 |
– |
|
1997-98 |
150 |
|
1998 |
280 |
|
1999-2000 |
280 |
|
2000-01 |
280 |
|
2001-02 |
461 |
|
2002-03 |
460 |
My Department has requested the colleges of education to provide another course to commence early in 2004. Based on current assessment of needs, it has been decided that the number of places to be provided on the course should revert to 280, as had been the case previously.
Figures from different years can be used to obtain averages that suit one's purpose. The number of applications for these courses is still significant and a large number of children are still being taught by unqualified people. In light of this, does the Minister consider his decision prudent? What factors did he assess in making his decision? Did the Hibernia teacher training course have any impact on his decision? Has he had further negotiations or discussions with the colleges of education on the possibility that they may provide modular or distance education? Does he intend to progress the issue of a teachers' council in the near future?
I do not carry out the assessment, which is undertaken by my Department. The decision is based on an assessment of the needs of the system in subsequent years, taking into account changes in the pupil-teacher ratio, the number of retirements, possible retirement figures and other factors. In other words, the assessment covers any issue likely to affect the supply of teachers in the future. The number of teachers graduating from the full-time courses and the part-time postgraduate course, which currently stands at a record level, is also assessed. All these factors are taken into account when deciding how many places will be available on the postgraduate course.
The additional factor taken into account this year was the new graduate diploma course in primary education being provided by Hibernia College. The fact that 195 people have started the course with the possibility of a further 195 starting in February has had an effect. The reason for offering these courses is to try to guarantee an adequate supply of teachers for primary schools. The INTO and others have indicated they do not want any part-time or unqualified teachers in the system by 2005. It is an aim I hope to attain as well and it is on that basis that decisions are made about the supply of places on the postgraduate course.
As regards the modular courses, the Department of Education and Science asked the teacher training colleges earlier this year to come forward with proposals. They have not done so. They raised questions when they were asked. In the meantime, the Hibernia course was introduced and assessed. My Department takes the view that there is no need to continue talks on the modular course as the Hibernia course is filling the need.
Will the Department save money, and how much, by cutting down on the number of graduates to be trained as primary teachers? Does the Minister eventually see the phasing out of this function in the light of the fact that courses such as Hibernia's are coming on stream?
I do not foresee the end of the postgraduate course at present because according to our information, we need the current number of teachers in training. Changes and improvements within the system may also create a need for further teachers to be trained. I do not anticipate the other courses being phased out. However, if there is an oversupply of teachers the matter would have to be reconsidered, as would the question of places on full-time courses in the teacher training colleges. That is down the road.
It is on the way.
We do not want to make the same mistakes as in the mid-1990s. The Department will save money in this area. If it was providing the 460 or 480 places on the course, I understand the average cost to the taxpayer would be around €8,000, although I have no notes to support that. The Deputy can do his own calculations. However, the Hibernia course costs money.
Is it the case that it does not cost the Department any money?
It does not cost my Department anything, but it costs participants €5,500. I would not like a situation to arise where only the wealthy could train to become teachers, therefore, consideration would have to be given to providing places.
