Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
110. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education why many extra personal vacation, EPV, course providers, who provide high-quality continuous professional development courses, have had their permits to run courses reduced from three years to one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34450/23]
View answerDrumcondra Education Centre administers the summer courses programme for primary teachers on behalf of the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education.
This programme forms part of the overall CPD provision for primary teachers. Each year, Drumcondra publish on their website the list of approved summer courses to provide CPD for primary teachers. Primary teachers who complete a summer course can be entitled to extra personal vacation days (EPV Days)
The Programme comprises a wide range of face-to-face, blended and online courses that are generally aligned to national priorities and focused on teaching, learning and leadership.
Earlier this year, Course Providers were invited to submit applications to have their summer courses approved under the Department’s Summer Courses programme.
A Summer Course Providers’ Handbook is made available to providers to guide them in the process. This handbook sets out the administrative requirements and criteria for the approval and delivery of the summer courses.
The P roviders’ Handbook is available on the Drumcondra Education Centre website at the following link ecdrumcondra.ie/de-summer-courses/
All courses submitted to Drumcondra Education Centre were assessed by the Inspectorate to ensure that teachers have access to high quality courses that meet the criteria identified in the handbook
The programme operates a three year approval cycle, with 2023 being the first year of a new three year cycle.
A total of 536 courses were approved by the Inspectorate this year. All courses approved in 2023 are approved for three years and will retain approval for three years from 2023 to 2025.
A proportion of these approved courses are also inspected by the Inspectorate , on behalf of Teacher Education Section as they are being delivered.
