Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
358. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) must undertake 60 EC in German before undertaking a professional masters of education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55818/21]
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. In accordance with its statutory functions, the Teaching Council has set out curricular subject specific registration requirements for each subject at post-primary. These are to ensure that teachers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and understanding to teach the specific curricular language syllabus/specification to the highest level in post- primary education in Ireland.
In accordance with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations (2016), applicants for the post primary Professional Master of Education Programme (PME) must hold a Level 8 Degree and meet the requirements for at least one post-primary curricular subject in order to be eligible for registration under Route 2 Post-Primary, upon completion of the PME. The qualifying degree must carry at least 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits (or equivalent) with the specific study of the specific curricular language comprising at least 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent). The design of each PME programme shall ensure that entry selection processes are aligned with the Council’s regulations and curricular subject specific registration requirements (post-primary).
It is a matter for the programme provider to determine if an applicant meets the Curricular Subject Registration Requirements for entry to their programmes and so it would not be appropriate for me as Minister to personally intervene in an individual case.
