asked the Minister for Education if he is satisfied with the present rate of applications for primary teacher training.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary Teacher Training.
81.
I am satisfied that an adequate supply of qualified applicants is available to fill the places in the colleges of education.
Has the Minister seen reports in professional educational journals that, due to lack of satisfaction, I think, with the arrangement for the conferring of a degree in training colleges, students are not applying in the same numbers as heretofore?
That raises a different matter.
With respect, Sir, I would submit that it is, in fact, the same.
The Deputy has suggested a reason for a trend. I am not in a position to comment on his suggested reason. But there is a certain downward trend, the nature of which is impossible to determine for the present year, because the closing date for some of the applications has not yet terminated but it seems clear that there is a downward trend at any rate among male applicants.
In view of the fact that post-1965 teachers must retire, in view of the fact that there will be a year when no qualifying teachers will be coming on to the labour market; and in view of this downward trend, is it not a matter of serious concern to the Minister?
I would not wish, on my feet, to evaluate the net effect of these different trends to which the Deputy has referred. But, of course, a year during which there would be not a total absence but very few teachers qualifying is an essential feature of a particular year. I do not think it is all that relevant to the longer-term trend. As far as I can judge from statistics, we are a very long way from a real problem arising because, in fact, of the total applicants normally speaking only something like one-half or a bit more qualify and the proportion of those who secure places is only a quarter to a third. Therefore, we are a very long way, indeed, from the position where the number of applicants would be inadequate for the number of jobs available.
The pupil/teacher ratio is also relevant in that context.
I appreciate that and I know the Minister does too.