Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Art Teacher Training.

Dan Wallace

Ceist:

243 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the mechanisms in place for the training of post-primary art teachers in the State since 1970; the number of students taking the final year art teaching examination in each of the years from 1970 to 1995 in respect of each individual art school; the number of successful candidates in each instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14426/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

There are at present two mechanisms in place for training of second level art teachers:

— Diploma for Art and Design Teachers (Dip ADT) which is a one-year post-graduate teacher training course available at the National College of Art and Design, Cork Regional Technical College and Limerick Regional Technical College.

— B.Ed Degree in Art and Design Education which is a four-year ab initio course available at the National College of Art and Design.

Up to 1988 it was possible for a person to qualify as a teacher of art by successfully completing the Technical Schools Examinations in Art in six examinations at intermediate stage and in four examinations at advanced stage at first class pass level. She or he had then to successfully complete a one-year course in the Principles of Teaching Art.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the numbers of students taking the final year art teaching examination in each of the years from 1970 to 1995 and the number of successful candidates in each instance is not available in my Department.