I accept that it is vitally important that our student teachers can access and undertake student placements. It is important that student teachers complete placements and the experience and learnings from these placements ensure that our graduating student teachers are fully qualified and competent professionals. It is intended that school placements for student teachers will take place in the coming year.
As I announced earlier in the week, the Government is providing a range of supports to schools to allow them to reopen fully. These include an enhanced Minor Works Grant, increased management supports, additional capitation for cleaning, hand hygiene and PPE and additional supply panel posts at primary and additional teaching posts at post-primary.
Funding will also be provided to each school to employ an aide to assist with the physical and logistical arrangements necessary in advance of school re-opening including movement of furniture, setting up hand sanitising stations, signage, training, and engaging with parents. Schools are free to make arrangments to employ a suitable person as an aide at a local level.
Also, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department, in collaboration with the Teaching Council and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), have been examining the potential for student teachers to provide greater support to schools during schools placements, particularly in post-primary schools in the coming school year. It is planned that the HEIs will adopt flexible arrangements for post primary student teacher programmes. This will facilitate greater availability of student teachers in the post primary sector for paid work outside of their school placement. I am confident that this measure will be of significant benefit to both the school and student teacher involved. Further guidance on this proposal will be finalised shortly.
