Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Montessori Teachers.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

244 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the number of qualified Montessori teachers in this State; the status of these teachers; whether these teachers are qualified to teach as primary teachers up to a particular level; the negotiations, if any, that have taken place in this regard; the exemptions, if any, they get when studying to become a full primary/national teacher; the other positions, if any, under the control of her Department for which they qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14451/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

My Department has no details of the number of qualified Montessori teachers in the state. However, my Department's records indicate that there are 48 Montessori trained teachers employed in the formal education system.

Persons holding the Montessori diploma awarded on successful completion of the three year course at the Montessori College, Mount St. Mary's, Milltown, Dublin 14, formally Sion Hill, may be granted exceptional recognition to teach in special schools for children with a mental handicap, emotional disturbance, or hearing impairment.

Representations have been made in the past by various groups representing Montessori teachers. However, recognition of the Montessori diploma has not been extended to include teaching in primary-national schools.

Trainee teachers, who possess Montessori qualifications, are not eligible for any exemptions from the training course in the colleges of education for primary teachers on foot of those qualifications.