Programme for Government

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Questions (508)

Alan Dillon

Question:

508. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of programme for Government commitments (details supplied); if they have been completed; if not, the timeline on their progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48008/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Under Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, initial teacher education (ITE) programmes are subject to review and accreditation by the Teaching Council, for registration purposes. New ITE programme standards (entitled ‘Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education’) and new post-primary subject curricular requirements were published by the Teaching Council in November 2020.

The Standards set out essential requirements for ITE programmes across foundation studies, professional studies and school placement. The Standards state that professional studies shall develop the pedagogical expertise of student teachers, including subject specific pedagogical content knowledge.

All new programmes submitted to the Teaching Council for accreditation must now be in alignment with Céim and all existing ITE programmes must be realigned in accordance with Céim for commencement in September 2022 for first year student teachers.