Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 8

Written Answers. - Primary Teacher Selection.

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

34 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the present method of using points without a suitable interview is appropriate for the selection of the best primary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16088/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Applications for entry to the teacher training colleges are processed through the CAO/CAS system. Places are awarded on the basis of points. The candidates must also meet certain minimum requirements in the Leaving Certificate grades in Irish, English and Mathematics. This has been the position since 1992.

The points levels required for entry in 1995 ranged from 330 to 480. This is very reassuring. It indicates that high calibre students continue to be attracted to teaching.

The selection system has evolved over the years. Prior to 1992, a competitive interview was part of the process. From 1992 to 1994 the colleges held qualifying interviews but no additional points were awarded for those interviews. In 1995 the interviews were dropped in all the colleges with the exception of the Church of Ireland College of Education.

The interview process was considered to be over elaborate and time consuming for both the colleges and the applicants. Generally, out of over 2,000 applicants only a very small percentage failed to qualify.

I am satisfied that serious attention and consideration continues to be given by the colleges to selecting the most suitable candidates.

The suitability of students for a career in teaching is carefully monitored and assessed by the colleges of education during the training course, with the objective of identifying those who are unsuited to teaching. The responsibility of the colleges of education in that regard is reiterated in the White Paper on Education which indicates that a key responsibility of the colleges of education will be to evaluate students' teaching potential.