Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
247. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remove home economics initial teacher education from a school (details supplied) in County Sligo, as recommended in the recent report from the Higher Education Authority. [51159/12]
View answer250. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher education, specifically the recommendation to remove home economics from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51187/12]
View answer251. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher education, specifically the recommendation to remove home economics from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51188/12]
View answer252. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher education, specifically the recommendation to remove home economics from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51189/12]
View answer253. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51198/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250, 251 and 252 together.
I have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world.
The international panel of education experts recommended that teacher education be provided in six "centres for teacher education". Currently there are 19 state funded providers of ITE (and three non-state funded) offering more than 40 college programmes in primary and post-primary teaching. The new collaborations recommended by the international panel will mean that a smaller number of centres for ITE exist, but that they offer education across multiple sectors from early childhood to primary, to post primary to adult education. These centres for teacher education will also possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity which is not always possible in smaller institutions. The new configurations will mean strong research bases can be created in each centre.
The HEA has been requested to consult with the relevant parties and to prepare a detailed plan on how to implement the recommendations of the Panel. I understand that this process has started and a plan is expected by the end of the year. I will fully consider the implementation plan from the HEA when received.
