Under the revised Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations being considered by my Department, Regulation 3 (Montessori and Other Categories) will be accommodated under Route 4. Under this route of registration a teacher currently registered under Regulation 3 may maintain his/her registration on the basis of the qualification which was recognised in order for the Teaching Council to register him/her initially. Teachers holding level 7 Montessori qualifications who are currently registered will be accommodated as part of this provision.
The Deputy should note that my Department has no plans to change the current position whereby a teacher who is currently registered with a Montessori qualification under Regulation 3 (or its equivalent in the revised regulations) is eligible for employment as a teacher of pupils with special education needs in recognized mainstream primary schools and special schools.