Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
934. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to allow graduates of Trinity College Dublin in deaf studies to apply for a professional master of education enabling them to teach in mainstream schools. [18342/21]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession in this State. It is also the designated competent authority for the recognition and assessment of qualifications and registration of teachers at Primary and Post Primary level.
ITE programmes for primary and post primary teachers are facilitated through a range of concurrent (undergraduate) and consecutive (postgraduate) programmes. Any potential applicants to these programmes must meet the entry requirements for their preferred programme.
I understand that the preferred entry route to teaching for candidates who hold an undergraduate degree such as Bachelor in Deaf Studies is the postgraduate entry route to teaching. This is a two year course leading to a Professional Master of Education (PME).
I wish to advise the Deputy that prospective candidates for entry to the primary PME, must hold a Minimum H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Major Award at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits. Candidates must also meet the required Minimum Entry Requirements in Irish, English and Mathematics in the relevant year.
In line with the Teaching Council’s Regulations prospective candidates for entry to the post primary PME must hold a Level 8 degree (or equivalent) and also meet the requirements for at least one post-primary curricular subject in order to meet the registration requirement as set down by the Teaching Council. Details of the current and revised curricular requirements are available on the Teaching Council’s website.
